US Senate joins House of Representatives in condemning blasphemy

On 19 December 2020, the US Senate joined its counterparts in the House of Representatives in condemning the use of blasphemy laws globally.

Senate Resolution 458, championed by Senator James Lankford and Senator Chris Coons, calls upon the president and the U.S. State Department to prioritize the repeal of blasphemy laws in their relationships with countries that have such laws and to release prisoners who have been accused or convicted of blasphemy offenses.

End Blasphemy Laws Coalition partner, the American Humanist Association, led a diverse coalition of nearly 70 national organizations in support of the resolutions in both chambers.

AHA’s Director of Policy and Social Justice, Rachel Deitch stated:

“The Senate’s adoption of Senate Resolution 458 solidified Congress’s commitment to ending the criminalization of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy around the world. Republicans and democrats working together to get this done underscores our country’s continued commitment to championing the freedom of thought, religion, conscience, and belief for all people everywhere.”