Abolition of Blasphemy Laws

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes the news that the people of the Republic of Ireland have voted by 65% to 35% to scrap blasphemy restrictions in the country's constitution; reflects on the high-profile cases of individuals affected by the use of blasphemy laws, including the Umeed-Bakhsh family currently living in Glasgow and seeking asylum; condemns the use of blasphemy laws across the globe to suppress the human right to freedom of thought, expression, religion and belief through the use of violence and imprisonment; stands with human rights defenders everywhere in challenging the use of blasphemy laws as political tools to restrict legitimate freedoms; understands that, even in the absence of prosecutions, the existence of blasphemy laws in European democracies gives cover and support to the laws that are used to persecute people in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and others; recognises that Scotland also still has a common law offence of blasphemy, and considers that this law in Scotland should be scrapped.

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

Green 4 SNP 3 Lab 1 LD 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

No contribution in the Official Report cites S5M-14515 by reference.