Swedish Government Considers Introducing Islamic Blasphemy Laws, Banning Qur’an-Burning, By Richard Miller (London)

The ever-woke Swedish government, continuing its mass immigration program, especially with people from Muslim countries, is moving to the next step in multicultural replacement, by introducing Islamic blasphemy laws, and banning protests that involving burning of the Qur'an. The government has said that the proposed laws will not be blasphemy laws as such, just laws that allow the police to ban demonstrations, and by extension, imprison those who may be stirring up opposition to Islamisation. Part of the concern is that such protests, those involving the burning of the Qur'an, have led to attacks upon the Swedish embassies overseas. The Swedes are too week to defend against this, or simply close down these embassies and ban immigration from these places.

Needless to say, this attempt to put a cap upon public concern with mass Islamic immigration will only fester and cause more public angst about the issue, which is not going to go away:

"The government may introduce Muslim blasphemy laws – receives criticism," translated from "Regeringen kan införa muslimska blasfemilagar – får kritik," Samnytt, July 6, 2024:

The government has investigated and is now considering introducing Muslim blasphemy laws citing that this is required to "guarantee the security of the kingdom".

Demonstrations against Islam with Koran burning as an element have led to extensive riots in Sweden, staged by Muslim migrants and their involvement in gang criminal circles with the same background. Even abroad, the burning of Korans in Sweden has led to violent protests.

Among other things, the Swedish embassy in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, was stormed by angry Muslims. Assessors believe that the terrorist threat has increased in Sweden due to the extensive immigration from Muslim countries. As this development is not deemed to be reversible, it remains to meet "the Muslim civil society" – so-called Islamization.

This has already happened in a number of areas and now the government is considering taking another decisive step, one which means that the constitutional civil liberties and rights are severely curtailed. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M), together with Brå's director general Mattias Larsson who investigated the issue, spoke about this at a press conference on Friday.

The Ordinance Act is extended
Amendments to the constitutions themselves are cumbersome to make. The government therefore instead aims to extend the public order law so that the police will be able to stop Koran burnings with reference to the security of the kingdom.

Until now, it has only been possible to say no or cancel if the safety of the current location cannot be guaranteed. Now the government wants the police to be given the right to assess the security situation in the whole country and also Swedish interests in Muslim countries when deciding on a permit application for a demonstration critical of Islam.

The government has appointed an inquiry to look into such changes to the law. The investigator says in a comment to the media that he believes that the rules can be designed so that both the Swedish constitution and European law can be respected.

May encourage Muslim violence
The changes to the law that Larsson is playing with are such that instead of curbing them, they may encourage Muslim violence in Sweden and abroad. Namely, the police must look in the rearview mirror and deny or grant permission based on what happened at previous gatherings critical of Islam.

If it has turned violent in the past, the police should be able to reject an application for a demonstration permit citing that there is a "tangible danger" that reactions from Muslims in Sweden or abroad could threaten Sweden's security – the more violence you stage, the greater the chance that upcoming demonstrations are stopped.

"You have to look back at what has happened when similar gatherings have been held," Larsson explained to the media.

Koran burnings could have been stopped
Tangible danger is defined as threats of terrorist acts or crimes that seriously damage the state or foreign administration's ability to carry out its tasks. According to Säpo's assessment, the terrorist threat level is already permanently elevated and could be reason enough for the police to say no.

Larsson further said that if the ordinance had been provided with that type of opportunity to circumvent the constitution, the police could have refused permission for Koran burnings last year and thus appeased the Muslims who attacked the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.

The changes to the law that are being considered should not only give the police increased opportunities to ban demonstrations critical of Islam. Even in cases where the authority grants a permit, one must be able to step in and decide when, where and how such a permit may be carried out.

The police can decide when, where and how
For example, the police must be able to decide that the demonstration is held at night and/or in a secluded place where few or no one will notice it. You must also be able to limit the content of the manifestation.

For example, it should be possible to ban Koran burnings, showing satirical images of the Prophet Muhammad and other elements that it is judged that Muslims may feel particularly offended by and tend to react to with acts of violence.

Rebuts criticism of blasphemy or religious freedom laws
Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M), who is the main initiator of the investigation into a Muslim blasphemy law, does not want to comment on the concrete proposals today. He tells the media that he is waiting until they have been out for a referral.

He claims, however, that the changes to the law should not be perceived as a blasphemy law or a religious freedom law, let alone tailored to meet Islam and Muslims.

Gets harsh criticism from the Sweden Democrats
The more eloquent are you in other parties in the Tidö government base. The Sweden Democratic profile, also the chairman of the Riksdag's justice committee, Richard Jomshof.

In a comment on X, he clarifies that the Sweden Democrats "will not stand behind any changes that mean that Sweden in practice introduces blasphemy laws", that the party "stands up for Swedish freedom of expression in all situations" and "will never accept that Islamists are allowed to limits to what we have the right to say and do in Sweden."