Sign up for the Humanists International NewsletterThis week's podcast coincides with the publication of the 2025 Freedom of Thought Report, Humanists International’s flagship annual study tracking discrimination and persecution faced by people because of their belief, or lack of belief. We preview key findings from the 2025 edition and discuss wider global trends, including democratic backsliding, religious nationalism, and the instrumentalisation of “religious freedom” to undermine universal human rights.We are also joined by Mubarak Bala, human rights activist and President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, whose imprisonment became a global symbol in the struggle for freedom of thought.In this episode, we coverWhat the Freedom of Thought Report is, and how it is compiledWhy the report is used in advocacy at the UN and other international institutionsThe 2025 Key Countries spotlight and what it reveals (Bangladesh, El Salvador, Georgia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Sudan, and the USA) The rise of authoritarianism and how governments use religion to justify repression Blasphemy laws and how they chill freedom of expression and endanger minoritiesMubarak Bala’s story, advocacy today, and why international solidarity still matters Further reading and referencesNew report by Humanists International examines the link between religion and the rise of authoritarianism around the worldhttps://humanists.international/2026/02/new-report-by-humanists-international-examines-the-link-between-religion-and-the-rise-of-authoritarianism/Freedom of Thought Report 2025: https://humanists.international/what-we-do/freedom-of-thought-report/Mubarak Bala case page: https://humanists.international/case-of-concern/mubarak-bala/Humanists at Risk: Mubarak Bala: https://humanists.international/protect/mubarak-bala/Freedom of Thought Report site (country index and downloads): https://fot.humanists.international/Follow Humanist International Sign up for our free Newsletter Support Humanists International Follow our Campaigns About - Humanists International Join us at the World Humanists Congress 2026 This podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Start your podcast today, visit: humanise.live 🎶Music: Horizon by Simon Folwar Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.