Danish MPs vote to ban desecration of religious texts after Qur’an burnings

A far-right group burning a copy of the Qur’an in Copenhagen, Denmark, in July. Photograph: Ole Jensen/Getty Images

The Danish parliament has voted to ban the burning of religious scriptures after a series of Qur’an desecrations in the country and neighbouring Sweden.

After months of intensive debate, a bill making it illegal to burn, soil, trample on or cut recognised religious scriptures including the Qur’an, the Bible or the Torah was passed with 94 votes in favour and 77 against.