Outrage in the Muslim world over desecration of the Koran in
front of embassies of Muslim countries in Denmark and Sweden has
prompted both governments to say they will look for ways to
legally restrict the burnings.
But prohibiting Koran burnings would interfere with the
principles of free speech in Denmark, the opposition parties
said in a joint statement.
"All undersigned parties uphold fundamental Danish civil
liberties and are of the opinion that civil liberties must
always take precedence over religious dogmas," they wrote.
By giving in to outside pressure, the government could also open
the door to foreign countries interfering with national
politics, the parties added.
"The veto of the violent man must not prevail and must not set
the boundaries for Danish politics and Danish democracy," the
opposition said.
Ranging from the far-right New Right party to the far-left
Red-Green Alliance, the seven parties together hold 72 seats in
the 178 member parliament, while the government of three
centre-right and centre-left parties has a total of 88 seats.
Despite the protest, the government will continue to work
towards preventing the burning of Korans, Minister of Justice
Peter Hummelgaard told public broadcaster DR.
(Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek, editing by Terje Solsvik and
Giles Elgood)
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