Denmark Approves Law Banning Quran Burning

On Thursday, December 7, the Danish Parliament passed a law making the burning of the Quran in public places illegal. This law was enacted following efforts to reduce tensions with Muslim countries after a wave of protests in Denmark, during which the Quran was burned, provoking outrage among many. Denmark and Sweden have witnessed a series of public protests this year where anti-Islam activists burned or damaged copies of the Quran. Peter Hummelgaard, Denmark's Minister of Justice, stated that over five hundred demonstrations involving Quran burning have been recorded since July. Hummelgaard said, 'Such demonstrations can harm Denmark's relations with other countries, our interests, and ultimately our security.' Denmark is seeking to establish a balance between constitutional freedom of expression and national security due to concerns that Quran burning could lead to Islamist attacks. Domestic critics of this decision in Sweden and Denmark argue that any restriction on criticism of religion, including through Quran burning, undermines liberal freedoms. Inger Støjberg, leader of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party, told Reuters, 'History will judge us harshly on this issue, and rightly so.' She believes the question will arise as to whether the limits of free speech are determined by us or dictated from outside. The centrist coalition government of Denmark argues that the new laws will not significantly impact free speech and that criticism of religion in other forms will remain legal. The vote on this law followed a five-hour debate in Parliament, resulting in 94 votes in favor and 77 against. Violating the new law will result in a fine or up to two years in prison. Sweden is also exploring ways to prevent Quran burning but wants to see if police can manage individuals at protests with national security in mind rather than imposing a ban. In August, an Iraqi refugee organized a Quran burning event in the southern city of Malmö, which escalated into violent protests. Following that, Swedish authorities had to raise their terrorism threat level from five to four in response to terrorist threats. The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the chargé d'affaires of Sweden and then Denmark in Tehran in response to the Quran burnings. An Iraqi immigrant in Sweden burned the Quran again; police arrested several individuals. Quran burning in Europe; Iran summoned the chargé d'affaires of Sweden and Denmark separately. Quran burning in Sweden raised the 'terrorism alert' level; several people were arrested. Denmark tightened border security measures following recent Quran burnings. New cases of 'Quran burning' in Europe; increased efforts to de-escalate tensions with Islamic countries.