An international group of atheists and secularists including the scientists Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker has challenged the Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, to hold a referendum to repeal Ireland’s 21st century blasphemy law.
Ahead of an historic first meeting between a taoiseach and Irish atheists in Dublin on Tuesday, the group told Kenny that it was his “duty to protect a strong position on behalf of those intimidated in Ireland and, more importantly, on behalf of those facing execution by nations who cite Irish blasphemy laws in justification and mitigation of their behaviour.”
The blasphemy law was introduced in July 2009 by the then Fianna Fáil-led government. Breach of the law is punishable with a fine of up to €25,000 (£19,000).
The letter to the republic’s prime minister, signed by the Irish comedian Ed Byrne and the gay rights activist Rory O’Neill (AKA drag queen Panti), as well as leading figures in science and politics, criticised the Dublin government’s decision to renege on its promise to hold a blasphemy referendum.
Last autumn, the Irish government appeared to suggest that the blasphemy law would be included in a series of national referendums in May, including gay marriage equality and the lowering of the age when an Irish citizen can stand for the presidency. However, at the end of last year it emerged that blasphemy had been excluded.
The scientists, writers, comedians and politicians who signed the letter noted that Kenny said he was “shocked and appalled by the brutal and horrific killings” at Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
“But you must be aware that those who support murder for blasphemy also include the governments of many nations,” the letter states.
“The continuing case of Asia Bibi in Pakistan has received global attention and, tragically, many others have already been executed for blasphemy.”
The letter continues: “The distinction between Ireland and those who carry out executions for blasphemy must consist of more than just the severity of the punishment applied upon conviction. Despite your recent prevarication, we the undersigned urge you to lead by example and comply with your promise of a referendum to repeal all blasphemy laws.”
The academics, authors and political campaigners point out that Ireland is the only European country to have introduced a blasphemy law in the 21st century. At the UN Human Rights Council in 2009, Pakistan proposed adopting the precise wording of the Irish blasphemy law as part of the Organisation of Islamic Co-Operation’s campaign to outlaw criticism or mockery of religions.
John Hamill, the coordinator for Atheist Ireland’s anti-blasphemy campaign, said it was extremely significant that an array of international scientific experts and secular campaigners had signed the letter urging the taoiseach to change his mind over the referendum.
Hamill said: “We see the high-profile signatories on this open letter as indicative of the international relevance of the Irish blasphemy laws. These laws don’t just act to silence Irish citizens at home. Within international discourse in the wake of Charlie Hedbo about how free expression should be protected, Ireland stands out as legislating for the recent views expressed by the pope … that one cannot insult another person’s faith. At Atheist Ireland, we view this position of the Irish state as totally unacceptable and we have an active campaign to arrange a referendum.”
Meanwhile, the co-founder of the campaign group, Mick Nugent, stated on Tuesday that the organisation might face censure in Irish law because it had reprinted the front page of the post-massacre Charlie Hebdo with the Muhammad cartoon.
Nugent said the organisation may not bother defending itself against someone who tried to prosecute it under the blasphemy law in order to test what the consequences would be for Atheist Ireland.
Ireland’s Islamic Cultural Centre claims the depiction of the prophet Muhammad on the front page of the French satirical publication, which is on sale now in Irish shops, is a clear breach of the country’s blasphemy legislation.