Atlantic Baptist University, the only English-language university in Moncton, New Brunswick, has been the subject of a long-running debate in the pages of the Moncton Times & Transcript. ABU has been accused of violating Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the provincial Human Rights Act because it refuses to hire homosexuals.
In his latest [...]

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) today condemned the continued detention of Christian blogger Hani Nazeer, who was arrested by State Security last October.  His arrest was prompted by complaints from Muslims over material posted at his blog.
ANHRI also alleges that the arrest “occurred with the collaboration of the Church in [his hometown [...]

Recent comments by Valery Zorkin, head of Russia’s Constitutional Court, would chill the blood of freedom-loving people.
In a speech in St. Petersburg on April 7, the chairman of Russia’s Constitutional Court argued that due to the economic crisis, Russia could descend into anarchy and then turn to totalitarianism. To prevent this, he said, the Kremlin [...]

Two more Saint Mary’s University students chime in to defend last February’s shameful and cowardly shout-down of pro-life speaker Jojo Ruba. Their letters, which appear in the latest issue of the SMU Journal, take a ugly turn with personal attacks on philosophy professor Mark Mercer, an outspoken and tireless defender of free speech on [...]

In March 2006, John Rooney called Jules Bertiboni in response to a newspaper ad for an apartment to rent. Mr Rooney subsequently claimed that Mr Bertiboni called him a “tapette” (”fag”) on the phone.
Rooney says he became depressed and withdrawn after the alleged incident and complained to the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal. Mr [...]

A clear victory for free speech in Canada.
The BC Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Powell River was wrong to threaten charges of defamation against three residents who dared to criticise the mayor and council over their handling of a controversial harbour development.
As reported by The Vancouver Sun’s Daphne Bramham, the decision forcefully [...]

The list of websites banned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) was supposed to be a big secret. No more: The list was leaked to and posted at Wikileaks. ACMA responded by blacklisting the whistle-blower website. Any Australian internet site that links to Wikileaks risks a fine of A$11,000 per [...]

Speaking at a meeting in the British House of Lords on Tuesday, renowned comedian Rowan Atkinson strongly opposed a scheme to remove free speech protection from the offence of “homophobic hatred”.
Mr Atkinson, famous for his roles in Blackadder and Mr Bean, told Peers in the House of Lords: “Do I think that I would risk [...]

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs in the Maldives has been busy blocking access to dissident, Christian, and other unIslamic websites.  Ironically, this occurs only one week after President Mohamed Nasheed announced his intention to make the Maldives a safe haven for oppressed journalists from other countries.
The list of websites banned by Anni’s [Nasheed’s] government is [...]

Saint Mary’s University demonstrated how not to protect free expression last month when it allowed a small group of noisy fanatics to shout down a presentation by pro-life speaker Jojo Ruba.  Two weeks ago in the SMU Journal, “pro-choice advocate” Holly Taylor proudly defended the fascistic display by showing utter contempt for the concept of [...]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) threatened to fine a company up to $11,000 per day over a link to an anti-abortion site on ACMA’s list of verboten websites. Nowhere does the lengthy news story in The Australian address the issue of why an anti-abortion site is on the “top-secret list of banned [...]

Pro-life students are suing Spokane Falls Community College over conditions administration officials imposed on an anti-abortion display. In a transparent effort to shut down pro-life opinion, the students were ordered to publicise views contradicting their convictions. So much for freedom of conscience (never mind freedom of speech) at Spokane Falls.
They wanted to post [...]

Where have we seen this before recently?
A speech by conservative writer Don Feder was disrupted by loud-mouthed “anti-hate” activists at the University of Massachusetts. His scheduled topic was hate crime legislation (he’s against it); but when obstreperous protestors entered the room, he took ‘em on.
Feder sternly redressed the crowd in his opening statement.
“You don’t [...]

In this week’s Cranky Professor column, Saint Mary’s University philosophy professor Mark Mercer argues that the protestors who disrupted Jose Ruba’s pro-life presentation last month showed contempt, not only for Mr Ruba and his would-be audience, but for democracy itself.
One thing to value about democracy is its fairness. When a decision is made democratically, even [...]

Freedoms of speech and religion are under threat around the world. Religious persecution watchdog organisation International Christian Concern cites several recent instances in this disturbing trend.
Hate speech and anti-conversion laws are cropping up around the globe in what, on the surface, seems to be an effort to protect religious freedoms. In reality, these laws [...]