EU describes Koran’s burning in Sweden as offensive

Brussels, Aug 1 (Prensa Latina) The burning of copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book, before the Swedish Parliament is an "offensive and reckless" act, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali said at a press briefing in this capital on Tuesday.

August 1, 2023
13:43

Massrali added that those events, committed by a minority, do not represent the values of the Union and recalled the bloc’s stance regarding the frequent protests in the Nordic country in the last few weeks.

Sweden allows these demonstrations, assuring that they are protected by freedom of speech.

The burnings are offensive, reckless acts committed by few individuals and do not represent the values on which the EU is built, stressed Massrali, who said that expressions of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance have no place among the members of the bloc.

We defend freedom of religion or belief and freedom of speech abroad and in the EU. Not everything legal is ethical,” she added.

Following a complaint by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which denounced the lack of involvement of Swedish and Danish authorities to curb these demonstrations, the EU is in contact with the organization. No meeting has been confirmed so far to discuss the case.

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