Date/Time
Date(s) - 25/02/2026
17:00 - 19:00
Location
Press Club Brussels Europe
Categories
Humanists International is pleased to invite you to the launch of the 2025 Freedom of Thought Report. This report assesses every country in the world on the basis of human rights and the legal status with regard to humanists, atheists, and the non-religious.
This year, the Key Countries edition assesses the right to freedom of religion or belief in a world of rising authoritarianism. Focusing on Bangladesh, El Salvador, Georgia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Sudan, and the USA, the report captures positive developments while highlighting instances of democratic backsliding, religious nationalism, and restrictions on civic space.
Confirmed Speakers:
- Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament (S&D)
- Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, MEP (Renew Europe)
- Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division, European External Action Service
- Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International and former President of the Secular Coalition for America
- Gary McLelland, CEO of Humanists International
- Mubarak Bala, President of the Nigerian Humanist Association (previously imprisoned for 5 years on “blasphemy” charges)
- Professor Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (by video)
Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Time: 5:15pm – 7:00pm Central European Time (CET)
Click here to check the event time in your time zone.
FOLLOW THE CONFERENCE ONLINE
To find out more about the Freedom of Thought Report, visit: fot.humanists.international
