Swedish MP criticises Irish blasphemy law

Mike...

From RTE News

A Swedish MP says he has lodged a complaint with the European Commission over Ireland's new blasphemy law.

Karl Sigfrid, a conservative member of the Swedish Parliament, says he is concerned that Swedish citizens travelling in Ireland 'could be punished for merely expressing a view on a religion or religious symbol'.

Mr Sigfrid said it was bad legislation that could spread to other EU member states.
Writing in the EU Observer, the Swedish MP said the new law was inconsistent with human rights laws under existing EU treaties.

He said that defining blasphemy as speech that offends a substantial number of religious followers gives the churches the power to gradually expand the application of the law.

Mr Sigfrid said: 'A not too far-fetched guess is that statements threatening the power of religious leaders will awaken the strongest reactions and therefore be considered the most offensive ones, resulting in punishment by the state.'

He also said the new law contravened the European Convention on Human Rights.

RedXIV

He's dead right, it's a stupid law

hatrickpatrick

That law is a disgrace and the sooner we get rid of it, the better. Total right to free speech, thanks.

On the other hand, it must be gotten rid of by the choice of the Irish people and the Irish people alone.

PopeBuckfastXVI

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

That law is a disgrace and the sooner we get rid of it, the better. Total right to free speech, thanks.

On the other hand, it must be gotten rid of by the choice of the Irish people and the Irish people alone.

If it takes the EU to do it, I'm all for it. Just like I want the EU to make sure human rights are upheld in all other member states.

ChocolateSauce

I'll take good government where I can find it.

hatrickpatrick wrote:

On the other hand, it must be gotten rid of by the choice of the Irish people and the Irish people alone.

We're the ones that got us into this mess to begin with! If the EU can save us from our own stupidity, I'm all for it.

GUIGuy

Grand let's have the quickest least divisive referendum in history... they could slip it in with the Lisbon one.

oscarBravo

GUIGuy wrote: »

Grand let's have the quickest least divisive referendum in history... they could slip it in with the Lisbon one.

That would have been the logical alternative to introducing the blasphemy provision into the defamation bill in the first place.

Which is probably why it's not happening.

P. Breathnach

GUIGuy wrote: »

Grand let's have the quickest least divisive referendum in history... they could slip it in with the Lisbon one.

That would motivate Christian right-wingers to vote. Given that many of them bought the Cóir line last time around, it might have an impact on the Lisbon referendum.

Can you imagine the orgasmic joy of the Catholic nutter fringe if presented with an opportunity to link Europe with both abortion and godlessness?

God (if there is a god) help them. The cannot allow themselves take pleasure from sex, so they have to get their fun in other ways.

dresden8

P. Breathnach wrote: »

That would motivate Christian right-wingers to vote. Given that many of them bought the Cóir line last time around, it might have an impact on the Lisbon referendum.

Can you imagine the orgasmic joy of the Catholic nutter fringe if presented with an opportunity to link Europe with both abortion and godlessness?

God (if there is a god) help them. The cannot allow themselves take pleasure from sex, so they have to get their fun in other ways.

Yes side tries to discourage people from exercising their vote?

Surely these people should be encouraged to exercise their franchise.

dlofnep

He's right.

oscarBravo

dresden8 wrote: »

Yes side tries to discourage people from exercising their vote?

Surely these people should be encouraged to exercise their franchise.

I would have thought you of all people would recognise a tongue-in-cheek post.

K-9

dresden8 wrote: »

Yes side tries to discourage people from exercising their vote?

Surely these people should be encouraged to exercise their franchise.

No side will take support from anywhere!

P. Breathnach

oscarBravo wrote: »

I would have thought you of all people would recognise a tongue-in-cheek post.

On any issue that divides people, I think one useful guideline to help people select which side to support is humour. In general, I find myself aligned with people who smile more than with those who seem dour.

Shacklebolt

I agree that holding a referendum on the subject of blasphemy along with the Lisbon treaty referendum would create a link in idiots minds between the EU and atheism. However seeing as we have spent decades without this section of the constitution being enforced, it wouldn't be difficult to wait until another less divisive referendum was to be held and hold them on the same day. I'm convinced its another smokescreen tactic by the government.

Dr_Phil

Does this law protect my beliefs in Red Dwarfs as well? I mean, if someone slags Red Dwarfs or shows them no respect, will the person be prosecuted and punised or is it reserved only for Jehowa, Mary, Jeeez and Co*.?

* whatever the Irish Government wants people to believe.

MrMicra

dresden8 wrote: »

Yes side tries to discourage people from exercising their vote?

Surely these people should be encouraged to exercise their franchise.

I think not! I'm planning to offer a load of people lifts and not turn up!

hatrickpatrick

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

If it takes the EU to do it, I'm all for it. Just like I want the EU to make sure human rights are upheld in all other member states.

It's an internal Irish matter and it should be for the Irish people alone to decide. I don't for a minute support this ridiculous and authoritarian law but I'd sooner put up with it than take social policy further away from the hands of the Irish people than it already is. Personally I think the people should have more control than they do now, not less.