Attention Canadians: Your Signature Could Save An Atheist's Life

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you’re well aware of the fact that atheists are persecuted in countries all over the world. In 12 countries, their atheism can draw the death penalty. In over 40, atheists can be charged criminally, imprisoned, fined and held in psychiatric institutions. In even more, atheists face violence, discrimination in all areas of life and sometimes, they even face the very real threat of cold-blooded murder. All just because they don’t share the religious beliefs of the majority.

Atheist persecution can result in serious injury, imprisonment, or death at the hands of family members, street mobs, or authorities.

Some countries, including Saudi Arabia, label all atheists as terrorists: this alone should not disqualify them for refugee status.

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled several times that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to freedom from religion as much as the right to freedom of religion, a standard that applies to refugees as well as citizens.

The problem, however, is that atheists are denied access to what’s called the Less Complex Claims Policy. This policy enables some less complex refugee claims to be processed quicker and in some cases, eliminates the need for the claimant to appear in court at all.

This speeds up the process and can land an atheist at risk in a much safer place in a lot less time.

Atheists are denied access to the Less Complex Claims Policy of Canada because they are excluded from the list of those who qualify, all of whom are members of a religion.

This is an urgent matter because the lives of several atheists are currently in danger while awaiting their refugee hearings, which would be avoided if atheists were included in the less complex claims process.

If you are a Canadian, we need your signature to help us add atheists to the list of people who can access the Less Complex Claims Policy of Canada. Please sign this and share it everywhere. This act could be saving a life.

Sign the petition now.