EXPLAINER: Why are Sweden and Denmark having a crisis over the Koran?

Record ID: 1736483

  • Title: EXPLAINER: Why are Sweden and Denmark having a crisis over the Koran?
  • Date: 3rd August 2023
  • Summary: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (RECENT - JULY 31, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IN COPENHAGEN VARIOUS FOREIGN MINISTER LARS LOKKE RASMUSSEN WALKING OUT TO TALK TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Danish) DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER, LARS LOKKE RASMUSSEN, SAYING: “We are signalling our political will that we are taking this seriously, and it is not because we feel pressured to do so, but it is our political analysis that it is in the best interest of all of us.” Critics of the move in Denmark have said it would compromise citizens' constitutionally inscribed right to freedom of expression. WIDE SHOT DANISH FLAG WITH PARLIAMENT IN THE BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF SPOKESPERSON OF THE DENMARK DEMOCRATS PARTY, SUSIE JESSEN, SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON OF THE DENMARK DEMOCRATS PARTY, SUSIE JESSEN, SAYING: "I would never burn books but I would fight for that other people have the right to do it." FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DANISH PEOPLE’S PARTY, ANDERS VISTISEN, SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DANISH PEOPLE’S PARTY, ANDERS VISTISEN, SAYING: "In the Danish People’s Party we are firmly against limiting the freedom of expression, it’s a cornerstone in any vibrant, modern democracy." COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (AUGUST 2, 2023) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR DANISH PARLIAMENT CLOSE UP PLAQUE ON STATUE OF DANISH KING FREDERIK VII READING : ‘GIVER OF THE CONSTITUTION’ VARIOUS COPIES OF DENMARK’S CONSTITUTIONAL ACTS ON DISPLAY IN DENMARK’S PARLIAMENT Both countries are among the most secular and liberal countries in the world, with a longer tradition of allowing harsh criticism of religions than in some other Western European countries. Critics say making changes would be a slippery slope that would lead to more restrictions but proponents of a change say freedom of speech is already limited in some ways, such as insulting other people because of their ethnicity or sexual orientation. NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 2, 2023) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER AND CEO OF THE FUTURE OF FREE SPEECH PROJECT AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, JACOB MCHANGAMA, SAYING : “The reason why there's a huge debate in Denmark and Sweden about these proposed measures is that this, by many, is seen as a paradigm shift. So there's a long tradition in Sweden and Denmark and Norway for allowing very, very robust criticism of religious and political authorities that is seen as a natural part of the political and legal culture that the government should not try to step in and restrict such expressions.” COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (RECENT - JULY 31, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS PROTESTERS LEAVING THE SAUDI EMBASSY IN COPENHAGEN AFTER CARRYING OUT KORAN BURNINGS
  • Embargoed: 17th August 2023 16:02
  • Keywords: Denmark Islam Koran Sweden freedom of expression protests
  • Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • Country: Sweden
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA006199303082023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Anti-Islam protesters in Denmark and Sweden have burnt or otherwise damaged the Koran, prompting outrage in Muslim countries and demands the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings.
    While freedom of speech laws in both countries permit the protesters' actions, their governments have condemned them. They are also considering new laws that could prohibit the burnings, which domestic critics say would limit freedom of speech.
    (Production: Tom Little)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register