Denmark is currently working on a bill to ban the burning of the Koran and the desecration of religious symbols. Those who violate are threatened with punishment.
"The Danish government intends to criminalize the improper treatment of religious objects that are important to religious communities," said Denmark's Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard, quoted by AFP, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Hummelgaard said the bill was aimed primarily at arson or desecration in public places. Apart from the Koran, the law will also apply to desecration of the Bible, Torah and other religious symbols. Violators will be charged with up to two years in prison and a fine.
But the law would not cover "verbal or written expressions" offensive to religious communities, including caricatures. "The burning of the Koran is an act that is fundamentally insulting and unsympathetic, which is detrimental to Denmark and its interests," said Hummelgaard.
