The European Convention on Human Rights protects nonreligious beliefs
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, also protects atheists and nonreligious philosophical convictions such as secularism. The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg in France, oversees the European Convention, through the European Court of ...
Catholic school guidelines on inclusion deny the rights of secularists
The Joint Managerial Body (JMB) for second level Religious schools has issued revised Guidelines for the ‘Inclusion of Other Beliefs in Catholic Secondary Schools’. These revised Guidelines undermine the rights of minorities. They are based on fear and control dressed up in the language of inclusion. The Catholic Church is ...
Please ask your TDs to ensure that all abuse victims in Louise O’Keeffe case get compensation
Please contact your local TDs and ask them to ensure that all the victims of abuse in Irish schools, similar to that in the Louise O'Keeffe case, get justice and compensation. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has apologised to victims of abuse in day schools. But the State has for the ...
How the Irish education system indoctrinates atheists and religious minorities
The Irish Constitution obliges the State to respect the inalienable right of parents to ensure the education of their children is in conformity with their convictions. The European Court of Human Rights has defined indoctrination in the education system as not ‘respecting’ parents’ convictions. Despite this, Church and State in ...
Teaching more than one religion can be indoctrination, and you have a right to not attend the NCCA religion class
The Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, and the Department of Education are now claiming that if a class is teaching one religion then it is religious instruction, and if it is teaching a number of religions then it is religious education. They go on to claim that, because of this, ...
New Junior Cycle Religious Education course still breaches constitutional and human rights
The new specification for the Junior Cycle Religious Education curriculum, due to be introduced in schools in September 2019, disrespects the rights of parents who seek secular education for their children based on human rights. The new course reflects the disrespect that the State has for non-religious parents and their children. ...
New case shows that the Irish State directly imposes a Catholic ethos in ETB Schools
A recent case at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) vindicates the position of Atheist Ireland in relation to religion in the Education & Training Board (ETB) schools and colleges. We have consistently argued that ETB schools are run as religious schools, and that most of them have a Catholic or ...
The right to opt out of religion classes is not enough to respect parents’ convictions
The right to Opt out of Religion in Irish Schools is not enough to ensure respect for the philosophical convictions of Atheist and Secular parents. In Ireland, Atheist and secular parents are second class citizens. Church and state are pursuing an aim of indoctrination, by not respecting and protecting the ...
The Irish Education System is unique in the control that the State gives to churches
The Irish Education system is unique in the control that the State gives to churches. Comparing State funding of faith schools in other countries with the Irish education system is misleading. This is because, in the countries that do fund faith schools, most children attend a parallel system of non-denominational ...
How Minister Bruton’s new proposals would intensify breaches of absolute human rights
The Minister for Education Richard Bruton has outlined four options in relation to an Admissions School Policy. None of the Options that he outlined comply with Ireland’s Human Rights obligations, and Option 4 would undermine those rights further. Children have a human right to access to their local school without ...