Sweden may strike down its freedom of expression protections to ban Qur’an burning, a protest form that has outraged Turkey and which is being required to be prohibited by the Erdoğan government in return for admission of Sweden into NATO.
Breitbart Sweden’s justice minister has said he is considering changing the law to remove freedom of expression protections for certain acts, specifically the burning of Islamic holy book the Qur’an, but that the government has not yet made up its mind.
The act has emerged as a form of protest in some European nations, but also as a practical demonstration of what some claim is intolerance of Western-style freedoms by Muslim communities, pointing to the outrage boiling over into violence that follows the act.
Qur’an burning has taken on new geopolitical significance in recent months as Sweden has applied to join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Because NATO membership is only permitted for applicants by the unanimous agreement of all present members, the attempt has given the increasingly Islamist government of Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the opportunity to demand the introduction of de facto blasphemy laws in Sweden in return for their agreeing to admission.
Sweden Will Not Be Allowed to Join NATO Until Qur’an Burning Is Banned: Turkey https://t.co/5jCH2E3kdX
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 4, 2023
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has said, per Aftonbladet, that Qur’an burnings increase the risk of terrorism — perhaps underlining the claims of the Qur’an burners that it proves their claims — and that the government would now review the situation. He sad: “It is clear that we have to analyze the legal situation… We have to ask ourselves whether the current order is good or whether there is reason to reconsider it in some respect.”
As things stand, activists can apply to the police for permission to hold a protest, and burning a book does not constitute sufficient reason to deny that request. Several Qur’an burnings have happened in Sweden in recent years, many of them by Danish activist Rasmus Paludan.
No-Go Zones: Prime Minister Admits to ‘Parallel Societies’ in Multicultural Sweden Following Qur’an Riots https://t.co/vlNgvX2HLV
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 30, 2022
One of those burnings saw days of riots in Sweden over Easter 2022 leading to police officers being assaulted and a police van burnt out. The national police chief said at the time that the police should not decide who has free speech or not, but had a duty to keep the peace while free speech was being exercised. Chief Anders Thornberg said:
What happened in Linköping and Norrköping is completely reprehensible and will never be accepted. I have made sure that the employees who have been injured have been taken care of.
We live in a democratic society and one of the most important tasks of the police is to ensure that people can use their constitutionally protected rights to demonstrate and express their opinion. The police should not choose who has that right but always intervene if a crime occurs. Targeting police and police equipment is an attack on both the rule of law and democracy.
There were also riots in Sweden in 2020, again triggered by a Qur’an burning. Not every country has had such a strong commitment to freedom of expression as Sweden: the United Kingdom banned Paludan from entering the country earlier this year.
Over a Hundred Police Officers Injured During Swedish Qur’an Riots https://t.co/EL40t3O3BN
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 24, 2022
Conrad Calvano says
I think Sweden ought to promulgate blasphemy laws in order to gain admittance to NATO if this is what it takes to get Turkey’s consent. However, once it gains admittance, they should just repeal this despicable law. This is taqqia and kitman, which I am sure Turkey would actually appreciate.
Hartmut says
To answer the question: Sweden HAS caved to Erdogan’s demands.
On the same topic even before Erdogan was re-elected the institute for the study of war stated that keeping Turkey in NATO is of vital interest to the West, no matter at which cost. This is truly disconcerting.
Dan says
Only just seen this post my Erdoğan comment would of been better suited here.
Hartmut says
It’s time the mandatory unanimous decisions about memberships are axed in favor of majority vote. This would put the cockroach Erdogan in his place.
Daniel Erbstoesser says
Yes they will just as the eu will let turkey into it because they are all corrupt and not to forget that the socialist allways lays in bed with the muslim.
John1 says
I am no expert, but I have read that there is no provision in the NATO charter to remove a member. Therefore dissolve NATO as it is, and start a NATO #2 with all the same members except Turkey, and put in a clause to remove members that are no longer democracies.
BareNakedIslam says
Works for me.
Jay says
If NATO demands adherence to Shariah “laws” of any of its members, then every NATO country should simply dissolve NATO — it’s toast. Game over man !!!
BareNakedIslam says
And it only takes one member’s objections to disqualify a potential new member, which means Israel would never be able to join.
Daniel Erbstoesser says
Bonni, believe ma israel dont want to join this dirty degenerated club. The idea was a good one only the socialist has taken over and made this org into a red feelgood rotary. Israels best bet is to stay independend and free but allway be open for friends and binds. Stay away from the filth and you can prosper.
BareNakedIslam says
You’re right.
The Tasmanian Devil says
The REAL question is why a bunch of cutthroat Muslims led by a maniac Muslim (Edrogan) pretending to be a secular leader is in NATO in the first place!
BareNakedIslam says
I’m wondering if Attaturk was leader of Turkey when they were invited to join NATO? They certainly haven’t belonged there since then.
MPieces says
West European men need to stop wearing ladies knickers and find their balls. Nobody rides free. One way or the other.
BareNakedIslam says
The country that should be kicked out of NATO is Turkey. In fa ct, they never should have been given membership in the first place.
Ramez Fekry says
The West has forked over tens of trillions of dollars 💸 and euros 💶 in foreign aid and debt relief to the benefit of Turkey 🇹🇷 since WWII, despite the fact that Turkey 🇹🇷 is an Islamic State that exists owing to the armed Conquest of formerly Christian ✝️ Anatolia, given that the Islamic Turkish Armed Forces (now ranked as the 11th most powerful Military, according to globalfirepower.com https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php) have conquered Northern Cyprus 🇨🇾 and are bombing Christians in the Levant and Iraq 🇮🇶 at will.
F*ck all Moslems, especially Erdoğan!
Az gal says
Stand strong, Sweden! Their demands will never cease!
Daniel Erbstoesser says
Sweden is lost and sinking and when sweden joins the club the muslim is in it too then sweden has more muslims in it as sweds. Dont forget that it was sweden who first opened her doors back in the 70s to the muslim and yes he came and comes in millions and as we write the next clan shooting is taking place and the next 1.000 are arriving. This goes on each and everyday here in europe and sweden is not the only country being invaded no this happens in all european countries (in some more than 10 years)and that means what???.