– I don’t see that it is appropriate or that there is any wider support for going the Danish route, says Strömmer.
After a lively debate, Denmark has decided to ban Koran burnings in public places.
In Sweden, the issue is being investigated by a parliamentary group, led by the Crime Prevention Council’s director general Mattias Larsson. The group is reviewing whether the police should be able to refuse Koran burnings with reference to threats to national security. The result will be presented this summer.
Change the ordinance
The government’s stance is that an amendment to the Ordinance Act may be necessary, but no outright ban. The Danish announcement does not change the government’s stance, says Gunnar Strömmer.
– No, it does not. This has been well known for quite some time that they are considering implementing a ban like this. Our starting point is a strong protection of freedom of expression.
He points out that Sweden today also has protection in the form of incitement against ethnic groups and that there are ongoing legal trials of Koran burnings in that regard.
The Social Democrats believe that the government is passive. Denmark’s decision may affect Sweden, according to the party’s legal policy spokesperson Ardalan Shekarabi.
– It puts us in a more vulnerable position when we already have a very serious situation, and when Säpo said as recently as yesterday that the security situation has worsened.
A: Need to change the law
S does not want to review the law in the same way as the government, but thinks that the provision on incitement against ethnic groups or the provision on outrageous behavior should be targeted.
– Our position is that you need to change the legislation, says Shekarabi.
– The government is investigating a completely different issue which also lacks parliamentary support.
The Center Party stands firm in its position after the announcement in Denmark. C currently sees no need for any changes to the law, says the party’s legal policy spokesperson Ulrika Liljeberg:
– Freedom of expression often comes with a price. If you have freedoms that are so narrow that no one is offended when you use your freedom, then they are not so much to have, she says.
The Sweden Democrats are also critical of Denmark’s decision, with reference to freedom of expression.
“In many cases, Denmark is a leading country, but here they have really lost their way,” says Jessica Stegrud, on the SD’s party board in a written comment.