The Danish Parliament approved this Thursday a controversial law that criminalizes “the inappropriate treatment, in public or with the intention of disseminating it to a wider circle, of writings with religious significance relevant to a religious community or of objects that appear as such,” thus de facto prohibiting the burning of the Koran in public. Logically, the measure also includes the Christian Bible and the Jewish Torah, although the origin of the law is in the profanations of the holy book of Islam and the risk to security.
In Copenhagen, after a debate of almost four hours, the text was approved on third reading by 94 votes to 77, with eight of the 179 members of the Folketing (Parliament) absent. Under the new law, which has a more limited scope than initially proposed, violators face a fine or imprisonment of up to two years.
Burnings of the Koran by activists in Denmark and Sweden sparked protests in Muslim countries, especially in the summer, and subsequent fears for security in both countries. Two Swedes were murdered in October in Brussels by a jihadist who targeted them because of their nationality.
This year alone, activists in Denmark have organized more than 500 protests around the Koran – burning copies or wrapping them in bacon – in front of embassies of Muslim countries, mosques or migrant neighborhoods.
The text specifies that works of art in which desecration is “a minor part” will not be affected by the ban. Hundreds of Danish artists and intellectuals had signed a protest against the draft law, judging it an attack on freedom of expression and democracy. The new law, Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said at a parliamentary hearing last month, is primarily intended to “protect the safety of Danes” while providing “ample opportunities” to criticize religion.
In both Denmark and Sweden the debate over the option of banning or limiting the burning of the Koran has been intense. Opponents of the ban argue that any limitations on criticism of religion would undermine freedoms. The Danish government of Social Democrats, Liberals and Moderates under Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen argues that the new rules will have a marginal impact on freedom of expression and that criticizing religion in other ways remains legal.
