UK bill sparks outrage over protection of religious insults under free speech

UK bill sparks outrage over protection of religious insults under free speech
……………..

A proposed bill in the UK Parliament has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim and human rights groups, as it seeks to shield individuals from prosecution for actions such as burning the Quran or mocking the Prophet Muhammad, under the banner of free speech.

Introduced by Conservative MP Nick Timothy, the bill redefines such acts as expressions of opinion and aims to block legal or parliamentary responses to them. Timothy argued that respecting Islam is not a legal obligation in Britain, a remark that has been widely condemned as promoting Islamophobia.

The move follows previous court cases where individuals were convicted for desecrating the Quran in public. Critics say the bill could legitimize religious hatred and undermine the UK’s commitment to protecting religious freedoms and diversity. International organizations have warned that passing the law may fuel discrimination and damage social cohesion in an increasingly multicultural society.