From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 38 minutes ago, updated 37 minutes ago
A protester stands on a Danish flag during a rally in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, February 3, 2023. CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP
Critics denounced restrictions on freedom of expression and difficulties in implementation.
The Danish government presented an amended draft law banning the burning of the Koran on its territory on Friday, October 27, after criticism of an initial version denouncing restrictions on freedom of expression and difficulties in implementation. “The bill has been narrowed to specifically target the inappropriate treatment of writings with significant religious significance,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
Blasphemy offense
Originally, this was intended to cover the desecration of all objects of significant religious importance. The bill must now be discussed in the Folketing, the Danish parliament, at the November 14th session. In late August, the government announced it would legislate on the issue after the burning of the Koran on its soil, which sparked anger in Muslim countries and threatened national security.
In Iraq, for example, in late July hundreds of demonstrators supporting influential religious leader Moqtada Sadr attempted to march toward the Danish embassy in Baghdad. The first project was criticized on the one hand by some who saw it as a return to the criminal offense of blasphemy, and on the other hand by lawyers who feared difficulties in implementation.
“With the changes we are proposing today, the law will also become more understandable for the police and courts,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard assured in the press release, noting that the terrorist threat to the country has increased.
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