The Social Democratic Party (SDP) looks with dismay at today’s ruling from Westminster Magistrates Court, in which defendant Hamit Coskun was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence when he publicly burned a copy of the Quran.
SDP Leader William Clouston commented: “Whilst I am appalled at the idea of people burning religious texts, the right to criticise any or all religions or other worldviews through peaceful protest must be preserved. Even if such actions cause upset especially when accompanied by verbal protest, this is a reasonable price to pay for protecting the freedom of speech by which a healthy society settles differences of view.”
He continued: “We do not agree with the judge’s finding that the defendant had crossed the line into criminal conduct. However it is dressed up, this ruling amounts to a slippery slope towards blasphemy laws and enforcement of a contentious concept of ‘Islamophobia’. Such speech codes always have a chilling effect through the exercise of power and control over what is publicly permitted. In any diverse society civilised toleration of differences is a pre-condition for peaceful co-existence. And such toleration must go both ways.”
Through its policies, SDP rejects the protection of special interests that tend towards division and sectarianism. To quote from its statement of principles, ‘The New Declaration’:
We believe in a more equal society, free of prejudice. … We reject the current obsession with grievance and identity which divides our society into hostile and opposing camps. We favour strengthening the common bonds which unite us and, in so doing, re-enforcing communitarian impulses in public life.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information, and to arrange interviews, please contact William Clouston, SDP Party Leader, in the first instance – leader@sdp.org.uk
2. For more information about the SDP, please consult the SDP website.
