Denmark passes law banning Koran burnings
The Danish parliament on Thursday passed a law banning Koran burnings. The "inappropriate treatment" of religious texts can now result in up to two years imprisonment.
The law prohibits inappropriately treating "writings with significant religious importance for a recognised religious community", such as the Koran, the Bible or the Torah.
This summer, Koran burnings by anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden caused diplomatic tensions with a number of Muslim-majority countries. Protests against the burnings also raised security concerns in both countries.
After hours of parliamentary debate, 94 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 77 voted against. The opposition has accused the government of using the law to restrict freedom of expression and of kowtowing to Islamist regimes.
Danish MPs debate a new law against inappropriate treatment of religious writings in parliament on 7 December 2023 © PHOTO MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN / RITZAU SCANPIX / AFP
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