Earlier this week Fiona contributed to a United Nations Human Rights Council Side Event titled "Repealing the Death Penalty for Apostasy and Blasphemy."
The event was an online discussion aimed at helping policy makers understand the extent and effects of the death penalty sanction for expressions of religion or belief, including through presenting the main findings and recommendations of the report from Australia’s Monash University: “Killing in the Name of God." The event will also aim to encourage states who support the moratorium for the use of the death penalty to advocate for its repeal as a criminal punishment for religion or belief, and to inspire and equip policy makers and give them ideas on how to coordinate and engage with civil society and stakeholders on the ground.
Speaking at the event Fiona said,
"I am delighted that the UK Permanent Mission is co-sponsoring this event and honoured to be here, addressing such an important topic. I do so in my capacity not only as the British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, but also as the Chair for 2022 of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance. And I’m very pleased that today’s event has been directly inspired by a Working Group on the Death Penalty set up under the auspices of the Alliance, and chaired by Australia. It’s good to see Australia’s representative to the Alliance, Chiara Porro, among our speakers today. I also want to pay tribute to Dr Mai Sato and her colleagues for their comprehensive and challenging report, which I hope that you will all read if you have not done so already."
Reflecting on the work of the UK Government Fiona continued,
"Freedom of religion or belief importantly includes the right, not only to hold a belief, but also to express it - even when this means that, in doing so, an individual effectively rejects the state or “official” religion, which may be covered by blasphemy laws. And, as Dr Mai Sato’s report highlights –even if these laws are rarely used, all too often their very existence can serve as a pretext for mob violence, for those who want to take the law into their own hands - to demonstrate their dedication to their faith even to the extent of carrying out horrific mass lynchings.
It is a longstanding policy of the UK Government to oppose the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We believe that the use of the death penalty undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.
We work with our international partners to increase the number of abolitionist countries. And we lobby governments to establish moratoriums or abolish the death penalty and we partner with NGOs to reduce its use."
Concluding her contribution Fiona said,
"I am so encouraged by today’s event. But advocacy and co-ordination among the like-minded are not enough. We also need to focus on practical next steps. Dr Sato’s report makes some helpful suggestions around the role of the international media, about penalties for false accusations, training for the legal profession and strategies for advocacy. I do hope that today’s event will be an important step forward in our work towards a world where no one faces such a grave penalty, or indeed any penalty, just because of what they believe."