Latest news with #publicOrder
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Prosecuting man for burning Qur'an ‘reintroducing blasphemy law', court told
Prosecuting a man for burning the Qur'an is 'tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law' in Great Britain, a trial has heard. Hamit Coskun, 50, shouted 'fuck Islam', 'Islam is religion of terrorism' and 'Qur'an is burning' as he held aloft the burning Islamic text outside the Turkish consulate in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, on 13 February, Westminster magistrates court heard. Coskun denies a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour 'within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress', motivated by 'hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam', contrary to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of using disorderly behaviour 'within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress', contrary to section five of the Public Order Act 1986. At his trial on Wednesday, Katy Thorne KC, defending, said: 'The prosecution, in bringing this prosecution at all, is seeking to introduce a law unknown to this land, namely blasphemy in relation to Islam.' Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021. In Northern Ireland, blasphemy laws date back to the early 19th century and, while rarely used, blasphemy and blasphemous libel remain offences. Coskun, giving evidence via a Turkish interpreter, told the court that he has the 'right' to criticise Islam but said that he does not like using swear words. Thorne said that burning the Qur'an 'cannot be a criminal offence' and accused the Crown Prosecution Service of an abuse of process in its decision to bring the case against Coskun. She said in her written argument: 'To render such an act a criminal offence is tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law in relation to Islam, rendering the Qur'an a specially protected object in the UK, where a flag or another book would not be, and rendering trenchant or offensive criticism of Islam a criminal offence, is also akin to reinstating an offence of blasphemy. 'People must be free to exercise their religious or non-religious beliefs and to manifest those beliefs in whatever non-violent way they choose, and any curtailing by the state of that freedom must be absolutely necessary in a democratic society.' Thorne said that Coskun 'did not exhort hate' but voiced his dislike and frustration with a religion. She added: 'He expressed nothing to suggest that he was hostile to those who followed Islam. 'He did so outside the Turkish Consulate, a political institution, which provides further evidence he was not seeking to persuade others to dislike Islam, but express his personal criticism of Turkey and its stance on Islam. 'His protest was specifically political and thus, it is submitted, requires the highest protection of freedom of speech.' Prosecutor Philip McGhee said that Coskun was not being prosecuted simply for the burning of the Qur'an, but for 'disorderly conduct'. McGhee said of Thorne's argument: 'There is simply no misconduct in this case.' District Judge John McGarva ruled that there was no abuse of process and dismissed the application. McGhee added that the decision to prosecute does not affect the ability of others to criticise religion. The prosecutor had earlier said that Coskun had deliberately chosen the time and location of his demonstration. He went on: 'His actions gave rise to a very clear threat to public order and went beyond a legitimate expression of protest, crossing the line to pose a threat to public order.' Turkey-born Coskun, who is half-Kurdish and half-Armenian, travelled from his home in the Midlands on 13 February and set fire to the Qur'an at about 2pm, the court heard. Coskun had posted on social media that he was protesting against the 'Islamist government' of Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who the defendant allegedly said 'has made Turkey a base for radical Islamists and is trying to establish a sharia regime', prosecutors said. Coskun, who is an atheist, believes that he protested peacefully and burning the Qur'an amounted to freedom of expression, the court heard. Ahead of his trial, in a quote released through the Free Speech Union, he said: 'Encountering such treatment in a country like England, which I truly believed to be a place where freedom prevailed, was a real shock to me.' His legal fees are being paid for by the Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society. The Free Speech Union said it is defending him 'not because we're anti-Islam, but because we believe no one should be compelled to observe the blasphemy codes of any religion, whether Christian or Muslim'. The prosecution and defence have finished their cases, but a further hearing will take place on Thursday afternoon, with a verdict likely to come on a later date, the court heard.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rio's mayor loosens restrictions on live beach music after an outcry
Rio de Janeiro's mayor on Tuesday loosened new restrictions on live music on the city's beaches after many people warned of a threat to the dynamic cultural scene. Mayor Eduardo Paes earlier this month introduced the measures and reinforced existing ones, citing the need to protect public safety and the environment and promote peaceful relations between tourists and residents. The measures, due to come into effect on Sunday, outlawed food and drink sales, chair rentals, loudspeakers and live music in kiosks without official permits. Critics warned of the threat to livelihoods of many musicians and local vendors. Rio's city government rescinded parts of the decree including the strict regulation of live musical performances and the ban on glass bottles in kiosks. Owners of beach huts will be permitted to display names — not only numbers — as long as they follow an established format. 'Music will return to the beaches,' said Julio Trindade, who works as a DJ in the kiosks and campaigned against the measure. ' Rio's beaches are known worldwide and they deserve a soundtrack.' Other measures including the ban on loudspeakers and the crackdown on unregulated sales of food and drink will remain in place, the city government said in a statement. 'The city remains vigilant over our beaches to ensure that public order is maintained and that public spaces continue to be respected,' Rio's secretary of public order, Brenno Carnevale, said in a statement. Paes said the restrictions on live music had been introduced because some kiosks were playing music above permitted volumes and beyond the 10 p.m. cut-off time. 'Anyone who doesn't respect the rules will face a fine of 1,000 reais (around $180) for the first infraction, a fine of 2,000 reais for the second. And on the third, we'll cancel the license and change the owner of the kiosk,' the mayor said. The United Street Vendors' Movement, which protested Tuesday in the municipal assembly, later said it met with assembly president Carlos Caiado. 'We secured a crucial step forward: the creation of a working group with the participation of street vendor representatives to discuss safety, sanitary regulations and most importantly, the legalization of our category,' the movement said.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Rio's mayor loosens restrictions on live beach music after an outcry
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro's mayor on Tuesday loosened new restrictions on live music on the city's beaches after many people warned of a threat to the dynamic cultural scene. Mayor Eduardo Paes earlier this month introduced the measures and reinforced existing ones, citing the need to protect public safety and the environment and promote peaceful relations between tourists and residents. The measures, due to come into effect on Sunday, outlawed food and drink sales, chair rentals, loudspeakers and live music in kiosks without official permits. Critics warned of the threat to livelihoods of many musicians and local vendors. Rio's city government rescinded parts of the decree including the strict regulation of live musical performances and the ban on glass bottles in kiosks. Owners of beach huts will be permitted to display names — not only numbers — as long as they follow an established format. 'Music will return to the beaches,' said Julio Trindade, who works as a DJ in the kiosks and campaigned against the measure. ' Rio's beaches are known worldwide and they deserve a soundtrack.' Other measures including the ban on loudspeakers and the crackdown on unregulated sales of food and drink will remain in place, the city government said in a statement. 'The city remains vigilant over our beaches to ensure that public order is maintained and that public spaces continue to be respected,' Rio's secretary of public order, Brenno Carnevale, said in a statement. Paes said the restrictions on live music had been introduced because some kiosks were playing music above permitted volumes and beyond the 10 p.m. cut-off time. 'Anyone who doesn't respect the rules will face a fine of 1,000 reais (around $180) for the first infraction, a fine of 2,000 reais for the second. And on the third, we'll cancel the license and change the owner of the kiosk,' the mayor said. The United Street Vendors' Movement, which protested Tuesday in the municipal assembly, later said it met with assembly president Carlos Caiado. 'We secured a crucial step forward: the creation of a working group with the participation of street vendor representatives to discuss safety, sanitary regulations and most importantly, the legalization of our category,' the movement said.
LBCI
11-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Presidency urges Lebanese media to act responsibly amid municipal elections
According to a statement released by the presidential media office, the Lebanese Presidency called on local media outlets to uphold national, legal, and ethical responsibility during the current sensitive period. It warned against unfounded accusations, fabrications, or false narratives targeting any foreign party friendly to Lebanon, particularly Arab nations, especially in matters that could verge on undermining national interests. While reaffirming its full commitment to the sanctity of freedom of expression, the Presidency reminded stakeholders that this right carries inherent obligations—truthfulness and respect for public order in a democratic society, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement concluded by stressing that any violation of these principles would not fall under protected speech but would instead be considered a clear and punishable offense.
