The Irish Constitution, written in 1937, makes blasphemy an offence punishable by law. There will be a referendum on 26 October (along with the Presidential election) in which we can vote to remove this anachronistic offence.
Atheist Ireland supports the right to freedom of religion or belief, the right to freedom of speech, and the separation of church and State. The Irish blasphemy law infringes all of these principles. It has no place in a modern democratic republic.
The Irish blasphemy law is harmful. In Ireland, it has caused media outlets to self-censor themselves. Globally, it has emboldened States with more authoritarian blasphemy laws, who have cited the Irish law at the UN to support theirs.
We agree with the many bodies that have called for repeal of the Irish blasphemy law, from the 1995 Constitution Review Group and the 2008 All-Party Committee on the Constitution, to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission.
To help the campaign to remove this law, contact Atheist Ireland at atheist.ie or the campaign website blasphemy.ie