The Danish Parliament is set to discuss a bill that aims to ban the burning of the Quran following disturbances recorded in several Muslim-majority countries due to desecration of copies of the holy book in the Scandinavian nation.
The proposed bill seeks to amend the criminal law to criminalize “improper handling of matters of great religious significance to a religion, either openly or with the intent to promote it more widely,” as explained by the Danish Parliament on its official website.
This amendment also applies to desecrating the Bible, Torah, or religious symbols like the cross, with offenders facing fines and up to two years in prison.
According to the Danish police, there were 483 cases of burning symbols or flags between July 21st and October 24th, 2023.
The initial draft of the bill faced criticism from media outlets and associations, which saw it as a return to the blasphemy law dating back 334 years, repealed six years ago.
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard stated in a late October statement that the bill has been tailored to specifically target “improper handling of writings that hold great religious significance for a religion.”
Hummelgaard reiterated during a press conference when announcing the bill at the end of August that it would not cover “verbal or written expressions” that are offensive to religions, including cartoons.
He emphasized Denmark’s commitment to freedom of expression laws, despite concerns from many opposition parties that the ban might violate these laws.
Protecting National Security
While there have been concerns about the bill’s enforcement, the Danish Justice Minister stated in a press release that the amendments proposed today would make it easier for the police and judges to understand.
This move comes as Denmark and its neighbor, Sweden, faced backlash from Islamic countries following incidents of Quran burning within their borders.
In July, around a thousand protesters attempted to enter the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where the Danish Embassy is located, in response to Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s call for a protest.
Both countries tightened border controls at the beginning of August before Denmark lifted them on August 22nd, while Sweden has continued to implement them.
Hummelgaard previously stated, “We can’t stand idly by while a few individuals do everything in their power to provoke violent reactions.”
He described burning the Quran as “essentially an expression of contempt and lack of empathy… it harms Denmark and damages its interests.”
After the bill undergoes its first reading, it will be discussed in a specialized parliamentary committee before undergoing further readings before the final vote.
It is expected to be adopted, given the majority held by the ruling coalition in parliament, which includes left-wing, centrist, and liberal parties.
