I cannot recall a time when the boundaries of freedom of speech and the freedom/right to protest have been the focus of such public and political debate. From political violence in the USA against Republicans and Democrats, the murder of Charlie Kirk, the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group in the UK and the ensuing arrests of those who support it, to the claims of those marching on the streets of London on 13^th September that freedom of speech is under attack in the UK. It seems that not a day goes by when there is not some comment about freedom of speech or the lack thereof. At the same time, it seems that there is a backlash against the international human rights regime in many parts of the world, it has become extremely difficult and often dangerous to stand up for the rights of oneself or others. There has been an increase in the number of reprisals against human rights defenders and calls for a rolling back of human rights legislation in countries including the UK.

Amid all this, there is the case of Betty Lachgar which goes to the heart of the debate about freedom of speech and freedom of conscience and yet it has received far less attention than I, and others, think it deserves. Betty was arrested and jailed in Morocco for wearing a t-shirt bearing the slogan ‘Allah is a lesbian’. According to Betty’s sister Siham Lachgar, Betty was inspired to create the slogan is inspired by the quote: ‘I saw God. She is black, communist and lesbian’ attributed to the French feminist Anne-Marie Fauret.

Ibtissame Lachgar, known to us as Betty, is a prominent Moroccan feminist, human rights activist and LGBT advocate. Betty defines herself as an atheist and considers religion to be ‘patriarchal and misogynistic’. She established the Alternative Movement for the Defence of Individual Liberties in 2009, calling for ‘universalist and secular feminism’. Her organisation demands equal rights for women and LGBT communities, campaigning on issues including decriminalization of abortion, same sex relationships and sex outside of marriage all of which remain banned or strictly regulated in Morocco. Betty is incredibly brave and courageous and a woman I am grateful to have met and shared a platform with.

The picture of Betty wearing this t-shirt was posted on her social media in 2022 in response to the conviction and death sentence of two LGBT+ activists in Iran. This was not the first time Betty had been seen wearing the t-shirt. In 2021, she was seen wearing it during an interview broadcast on French television channel LCI. She has been pictured wearing the t-shirt on several other occasions since to promote her campaigns for women and LGBT rights. According to her family, Betty has never worn the t-shirt in Morocco where same sex relations are illegal.

In 2022, the t-shirt did not raise concerns for the Moroccan authorities. However, when it was circulated by a stranger and widely shared on social media in July this year, it was accompanied by a message calling for Betty’s arrest. The social media mob who were so offended by Betty’s t-shirt caught the attention of the Moroccan authorities who arrested and imprisoned Betty on 10 August when she was staying in rabat. On 3 September Betty was sentenced to 30 months in prison under Article 267-5 of the Moroccan penal Code which punishes anyone who offends Islam. Betty’s imprisonment is, in my view, inhumane and unjust, not least because of her failing health.

Betty’s case is shocking and raises significant questions about the application of blasphemy laws and the boundaries of jurisdiction of those countries which still have these horrific, outdated laws on their statute books. Betty was not even wearing the t-shirt in Morocco and for several years all instances of her wearing the t-shirt were not a cause of concern to the Moroccan authorities. And yet, it appears that at the behest of an anonymous social media post and a whipped-up mob, Betty has been arrested, imprisoned and sentenced by a Moroccan court for an ‘offence’ that took place outside of Moroccan borders and jurisdiction. What does this case mean for those of us who protest the treatment of women, LGBT+ communities and minorities in countries where blasphemy laws remain? Can we too be arrested and imprisoned should we travel to these countries? Are there no boundaries for blasphemy laws? Why has the international community been silent on Betty’s case and others?

Betty’s case raises questions about the right to freedom of expression and freedom of and from religion or belief. This fundamental right to hold and express opinions, to receive and impart information and ideas without censorship or interference from the State is protected under international law including Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Human Rights Act. Rejecting religious control is an act of resistance just as rejecting all forms of abuse, discrimination, oppression and persecution is and must remain. Freedom of religion and freedom from religion are protected under international human rights laws, including the UDHR and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

I know I will receive comments and condemnation from many quarters for my support of Betty and the campaign to free her and for calling for an end to blasphemy laws everywhere. As a Muslim woman and as a woman of colour, my commitment to the fight for freedom, justice and equality has been shaped and reinforced by my faith. Furthermore, I cannot in all consciousness call for an end to misogyny, racism anti-Muslim hatred and stand by silently when it comes to other forms of discrimination, oppression and persecution. #FreeBetty

Yasmin Rehman