Blasphemy Law in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom does not have a blasphemy law, but a man was charged for burning a Qur'an outside the Turkish consulate. The charge was changed after backlash from free speech activists and Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick.
Key Points
- United Kingdom abolished blasphemy as an offence in 2008
- Campaign by free speech activists led to charge being re-written
- European nations are facing pressure to bring back blasphemy laws
Pros
- Victory for freedom of speech
- Charge of 'causing distress against the institution of Islam' dropped
Cons
- Man still facing charges
- New allegations substituted