A recent study raises significant questions regarding the effectiveness of Denmark’s Koran law on national security, prompting calls for action from several political parties. The research, which examines the relationship between blasphemy laws and terrorism across 162 countries since the 1970s, concludes that there is no scientific basis to support the idea that the Koran law enhances security.
Peter Kofod from the Danish People’s Party (Danish Folkeparti) strongly criticizes the government, stating, “They should now admit that the Koran law was a mistake and is deeply shameful. It is a stain on Danish legislation and a concession that emboldens Islamists.” Kofod urges the government to repeal the law.
The issue of Danish security was a central argument for the adoption of the Koran law, with Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (Social Democrats, Socialdemokratiet) describing it as “the unequivocally most important argument.” However, Steffen Larsen from the Liberal Alliance (Liberal Alliance) contends that security concerns were merely a pretext. According to him, the real motive behind the law was the government’s desire for support from Muslim countries in securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Larsen points out that countries like Sweden and Norway have continued without similar laws while remaining well-integrated in the international community.
Mai Mercado, the legal spokesperson for the Conservative Party (Konservative), expresses her astonishment at the study’s findings: “I am speechless that it now clearly shows that this extensive Koran law has no solid foundation.” Mercado also criticizes the rushed legislative process and describes the Justice Minister’s response as arrogant and lacking reflection.
In defense of the law, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard refers to the Danish Security and Intelligence Service’s (PET) assessment, which highlighted the significance of Koran burnings in the threat landscape. He states that he fully stands by his remarks.
This political disagreement marks another turning point in the debate over the necessity of the Koran law and the political motivations behind its passage. Will the next step be a repeal of the law now that research indicates its ineffectiveness? Time will tell if the government’s security arguments can endure the mounting criticism and the new evidence.