After months of heated debate, the bill, which would make it illegal to burn, desecrate, trample on or tear up recognized religious texts such as the Koran, the Bible or the Torah, was approved by 94 votes to 77, the Guardian reports.
The Danish government presented the move as a security measure.
“This harms Denmark and Danish interests and threatens to harm the security of Danes abroad and here at home,” said Social Democrat Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, who presented the proposal in August.
Violators of the new law can be punished with a fine or up to two years in prison.
Some critics argue that Denmark’s reason for the ban was to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2025-2026. Others argue that it limits free speech. Two opposition parties, the Danish People’s Party and the New Right, have called for a referendum on the issue.
“The law is intended to limit free speech and creative freedom. And that is nothing to be proud of,” Steffen Larsen of the Liberal Alliance told Danish broadcaster DR.
“History will judge us harshly for this and with good reason,” said Inger Støjberg, leader of the right-wing populist Danish Democrats.
The Danish government claims that the law has minimal impact on freedom of expression.
When the bill was first introduced in August, it came under heavy criticism for its very vague interpretation of what counts as sacred. The bill has since been redrafted to specify that it applies only to holy books of religions recognized in Denmark.
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2023-12-08 12:00:37
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