Denmark passes law to ban Koran burnings
(VOVWORLD) - Denmark's parliament on Thursday passed a law making it illegal to burn the Koran in public places, seeking to deescalate tensions with Muslim countries after a spate of Danish protests during which Islam's holy book was burned, causing outrage.
Denmark and Sweden experienced a series of public protests this year where anti-Islam activists burned or otherwise damaged copies of the Koran, triggering demands that the Nordic governments ban the practice.
Denmark has sought to strike a balance between constitutionally protected freedom of speech, including the right to criticize religion, and national security amid fears that Koran burnings would trigger attacks by Islamists.
Sweden is also considering how to prevent burning of the Koran but is looking at whether police should factor in national security when deciding on protest applications rather than a ban.