Blasphemy Trials – Soon in a Court Room Near You?

After my article in EU Observer on Irish blasphemy laws, I have recieved lots of feedback. Some positive and some negative.

I have the greatest respect for those who don’t want outsiders to interfere with Irish national law. However, all EU citizens have an interest in making the EU Commission clarify what is allowed under the EU treaties. The purpose of my complaint about the Irish legislation is to put the EU Commission to work.

The last couple of days, I’ve defended my free-speech position in Irish radio and tv shows. Now Swedish advocates of blasphemy laws have been awakened by the Irish debate, so the upcoming week might have to be dedicated to the defence of the right to speak freely on religions here at home.

The Evening Herald on EU and the New Irish Blashphemy Legislation

The Irish newspaper the Evening Herald has noticed the complaint that I filed against Ireland’s new blasphemy law, and they have given me an opportunity to explain my action:

Swedish MP Karl Sigfrid today said he had lodged a complaint with the Commission, asking it to rule if the new Irish law is consistent with EU treaties. These include EU provisions on free speech enshrined in the current EU treaty and the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Free speech is a necessary condition for scientific debate and is the best way to rational conclusions about what the truth is,” Mr Sigfrid, a Moderate Party MP, told the Herald.

“It’s a very dangerous thing to replace open debate with violence from the Government when someone opposes what the conventional truth is.”

The Evening Herald