"In this report, the authors examine and compare state implementation and enforcement of criminal laws prohibiting blasphemy (“blasphemy laws”) worldwide over the five-year period between January 2014 and December 2018. The criminal cases this study analyzes represent states’ enforcement of la ... ws that sanction the expression of opinions or actions deemed “blasphemous,” or counter to majority views or religious belief systems. Many such laws impose serious penalties, including prison, forced labor, or death, upon those convicted. Countries throughout the world have and continue to enforce criminal blasphemy laws, often justifying them as necessary to promote intergroup religious harmony. In some states, however, civilians enforce blasphemy prohibitions extrajudicially, committing acts of violence in the name of protecting God, religion, and “the sacred.” Analyzing the ways in which states and private, non-state actors enforce these laws may assist the public policy community in developing clear, tailored recommendations for areas of criminal legal reform, especially in states with vague laws, harsh penalties, and high levels of enforcement. An analysis of criminal blasphemy cases reported in the news and adjudicated in courts identifies the contexts in which blasphemy laws may increase the risk of human rights abuses, through state acts or omissions, indicating the places and ways in which targeted law reform could lower that risk." (Overview, page 5) more

"This report shines light on the following trends: - Blasphemy and apostasy laws are often overbroad and can be used to limit a variety of religious expression. These laws violate international human rights law and should be repealed. - Hate speech laws are also generally overbroad and can be used t ... o limit a variety of religious expression. These laws should be re-drafted to comply with international standards. - Laws restricting the media and free press are often used to prohibit hate speech on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, with the written intent to protect those individual identities; however, these laws are also often open to misuse for political purposes. - Hate speech laws often lack independent oversight mechanisms and have inappropriate punishments. - Hate speech laws often are not integrated into larger plans aimed at effectively reducing intolerance and hatred in society. Where speech is protected and therefore not able to be limited through legislation, states can use other strategies and tools to address problems of hate speech and discrimination against certain groups. Meaningful and inclusive partnership with civil society is key for governments to achieve these goals." (Executive summary) more