Letter to MInister of Foreign Affairs re: stated government policy about persecution of atheists

September 7, 2016

The Honourable Stéphane Dion
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6

RE: Persecution of atheists and apostates in Saudi Arabia – thank you for your continued efforts to improve respect for human rights in such countries.

Dear Minister Dion:

As advocates for secular humanist rights, SCS is concerned about the continual persecution and abuse of atheists in Saudi Arabia. While that kingdom is infamous for its disrespect for human rights in general, it is particularly harsh in its treatment of atheists and apostates.

Indeed, Saudi Arabia has a law that automatically labels atheists and apostates as terrorists and makes them subject to the harsh treatment, including execution, that Saudi law specifies for terrorists.

More recently, a blogger who wrote directly about atheist ideas, although apparently did not speak out directly against religion, has been sentenced to ten years in prison and two thousand lashes.

Please accept our support and appreciation for your ongoing efforts to encourage respect for human rights for atheists and apostates in countries like Saudi Arabia.

Sincerely

Doug Thomas, President
president@secularconnexion.ca
1-519-580-4071

cc: www.secularconnexion.ca