Last week, the sixth atheist blogger was hacked to death my Islamic extremists simply for promoting the idea of secularism.

The Bangladesh government has only offered to “look into” its blasphemy laws and the murders but has done little to nothing in the way of action.

Well, it seems the U.S. government may have had enough and is now looking into offering asylum for those who are in danger in the region.

The U.S. said Thursday it’s considering granting refuge to a select number of Bangladesh bloggers who face imminent danger for speaking out against radical Islam after militants killed another outspoken opponent of extremism. … Five secular bloggers and publishers were killed last year in similar fashion. The murders have heightened concerns that extremists are gaining a foothold in Bangladesh, a Muslim country with traditions of secularism and tolerance, and that authorities are failing to provide any kind of protection… State Department spokesman Mark Toner strongly condemned the “barbaric murder” of Samad and told reporters the U.S. offers “unwavering support to the Bangladeshi people in their struggle against violent extremism.” He said that humanitarian parole for a select number of bloggers who continue to be under “imminent danger” is one option under consideration, but referred questions on it to the Homeland Security Department. Humanitarian parole is used sparingly to bring a person into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency.This is a necessary step and as a country that says it believes in the right of free speech, this is a necessary step for a danger we know exists. We have the ability to stop further violence, and if we do not act, we will have blood on our hands.

This is a necessary step and as a country that says it believes in the right of free speech, this is a necessary step for a danger we know exists. We have the ability to stop further violence, and if we do not act, we will have blood on our hands.

Yet, as Ed Brayton points out, this must extend beyond just atheists, as “Christian writers have been killed there as well. We need to open up and take in anyone who lives in perpetual fear of being killed because they express their views around the world.”