Amnesty International Ireland has welcomed the Yes vote.
Amnesty International Ireland welcomed Saturday’s yet to be confirmed but likely blasphemy referendum Yes vote as significant for freedom of expression in Ireland and around the world.
Exit polls suggest that the Irish people have voted by a decisive majority to remove what Amnesty has referred to as “the archaic crime of blasphemy” from Article 40.6.1 of the Constitution.
“While we await the final figures from the national wide count, it is clear at this stage that the Yes side have carried the day,” said Amnesty International Ireland Executive Director Colm O’Gorman.
“Today’s vote is another important step towards a human rights compliant Constitution. It follows the massive support for the constitutional referenda allowing marriage equality and ending the abortion ban. People in Ireland have shown yet again that they value human rights and freedoms.”
O’Gorman went on to underline that blasphemy laws like Ireland’s violate freedom of expression.
“At a time when this freedom is under attack around the world, this referendum matters even more,” he said.
“Now, states like Pakistan can no longer justify their own severe anti-blasphemy laws by pointing to Ireland’s Constitution.
“This referendum outcome does not make people’s freedom of religion or belief less protected,” O’Gorman added.
“The government must still ensure that everyone can manifest and practise their religion without discrimination or threat. We also need to have robust prohibition of inciting hatred on religious and other grounds, in law and practice.”
As of 6pm on Saturday evening counting has yet to begin in the Blasphemy referendum, but it is believed that 70% of those who voted registered a Yes vote.
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