The National Secular Society has welcomed a "historic" vote which brings the UK one step closer to ending blasphemy laws.
MLAs in Northern Ireland have voted to support an amendment to the Justice Bill to abolish the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. MLAs voted 57 in favour, 24 against.
NI is the last UK nation to retain blasphemy laws: they were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021. The NSS has campaigned to uphold freedom of expression and end blasphemy laws since its founding in 1866.
The NSS worked closely with Alliance MLA Connie Egan who tabled the amendment. It also briefed MLAs before the vote, urging them to support the amendment.
The Justice Bill is expected to pass its final legislative stages this autumn.
Blasphemy offences "have no place in a modern society that values free expression"
During the debate, Egan said it was "outrageous" that NI still has blasphemy laws "especially as this society does so much to promote freedom to practise, and freedom from, religion". She thanked the NSS and other groups for their "incredibly valuable" input.
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