Norway repeals its blasphemy law

May 11, 2015

Expressing solidarity with victims of the Charlie Hebdo shooting, Norwegian lawmakers have repealed the nation’s anti-blasphemy law, under which no one has been convicted since 1912, and no one prosecuted since 1933.

“Any person who by word or deed publicly insults or in an offensive or injurious manner shows contempt for any creed whose practice is permitted in the realm or for the doctrines or worship of any religious community lawfully existing here, or who aids and abets thereto, shall be liable to fines or to detention or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,” the old law stated. “A prosecution will only be instituted when it is required in the public interest.”

 

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Further information:

• Norway Repeals Its Blasphemy Law (Religion Clause)
• Norway repeals blasphemy law, in response to Charlie Hebdo murders (Washington Post)
• Charlie Hebdo shooting (Wikipedia)