A man from Afghanistan has been granted religious asylum in the United Kingdom, because he’s an atheist.

The man, who fled Afghanistan in 2007 because of a conflict within his family, was allowed to stay in the UK until 2013. Brought up as a Muslim by his family, he adopted atheism during his time in England.

He faces guaranteed persecution and possible death if he returns to his home country. Sheona York, from the Kent Law Clinic, explains how asylum was granted to a ‘non-believer:’

The decision represents an important recognition that a lack of religious belief is in itself a thoughtful and seriously-held philosophical position.

Lawyers who worked on the case believe this is the first time a person has been granted asylum in the UK on the basis of their atheism.

They went on to say that if the man were to return to Afghanistan, he could face the death sentence under Sharia law as an apostate – someone who has abandoned their religious faith.

Claire Splawn, a second-year law student who prepared the case under the supervision of York, said that an atheist is just as entitled to religious asylum as any other religious follower:

We argued that an atheist should be entitled to protection from persecution on the grounds of their belief in the same way as a religious person is protected.

Preach, sister!

[Source : BBC]