Koran burnings are to be banned in Denmark, according to a new bill from the Danish government.
– The bill will make it a criminal offense to publicly burn the Koran, the Bible or the Torah, says Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (S) during a press conference on Friday.
The Minister of Justice began the press conference by describing the recent Koran burnings in the country for “meaningless insults” whose sole purpose is to create “division and hatred”.
– These are meaningless insults, which have no other purpose than to create division and hatred. It hurts Danes and Danish interests, says Peter Hummelgaard.
That is why the Danish government is putting forward the proposal that burning should be banned. The ban is not only aimed at burning religious scriptures, but also at other actions that can be perceived as offensive, for example stepping on them, which Hummelgaard calls inappropriate actions.
Valid in public places
Satirical cartoons are not affected by the proposal, and the ban will only apply to acts that take place in public places.
If you violate the ban, you can be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for up to two years.
The text is updated.