The Danish government submitted an amended draft law for approval by Parliament prohibiting the burning of the Qur’an on its territory, after criticism met with a first version of the draft law that deemed it difficult to implement and would restrict freedom of expression.
The Ministry of Justice said in a statement – yesterday, Friday – that the scope of the draft law – which Parliament will discuss next November 14 – has been narrowed to “specifically the inappropriate treatment of holy books of great religious importance.”
While Justice Minister Peter Hommelgaard said that the amendments made to the draft law would make it easier for the police and the judiciary to understand it.
Hommelgaard added that the legislation specifically aims to prohibit burning and desecration in public places, noting that it will be included in Chapter 12 of the Penal Code, which relates to national security.
The Danish minister added that burning the Qur’an, which is an expression of contempt and lack of sympathy, offends Denmark and harms its interests.
The expected new law will also apply to the desecration of the Bible, the Torah, or religious symbols such as the cross, with the perpetrator being punished with a fine and two years in prison.
For his part, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said during a joint conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan yesterday, Friday, in Ankara His country is cooperating closely with Turkey to enact a law regarding cases of burning the Qur’an in Denmark, noting that the meeting was very fruitful.
It was a government Denmark She announced at the end of last August that she was seeking to enact a law prohibiting the violation of religious sanctities, after burning a copy of the Qur’an in the country, which sparked anger in the Islamic world.
