(February 27, 2015)–The American Humanist Association expresses shock and sorrow over the death of Avijit Roy, a humanist and atheist who was brutally murdered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for courageously voicing his secular views. The American Humanist Association mourns this loss with Roy’s family, including his wife, who was also injured in the attack.

Avijit Roy, a Bangladeshi-American author, founded Mukto-Mona (Free-Mind), a blog that advocates for secularism and tolerance. His bravery in speaking out against religious fanaticism in Bangladesh earned him threats from Muslim extremists. The persecution that he faced demonstrates the discrimination and intimidation experienced by humanists around the world. In its commitment to free speech and free expression, the American Humanist Association is dedicated to ending this intolerance against humanists, atheists and other nontheists. We will continue to fight for secular values and acceptance both in the United States and across the globe.

In response to this tragedy, the American Humanist Association has sent a letter to U.S. Senators and Representatives, demanding hearings on the global persecution of nonbelievers by religious extremists. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.