from the Free Speech Union
Hamit’s fight is not over.
He was originally convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence for burning a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London, but, with our help, he got that conviction overturned. The judgment in the appeal hearing was a welcome reaffirmation of English liberty, with Mr Justice Bennathan saying: “The right to freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.”
Disappointingly, however, the Crown Prosecution Service is seeking to overturn this judgment in the High Court.
This is hugely significant because the outcome will set a legal precedent and almost certainly be cited in future cases involving not just Quran burning, but any breach of an Islamic blasphemy code.
If the Crown wins, it will effectively mean we have a Muslim blasphemy law in this country. But if Hamit wins it will be a victory for all of us who believe in the paramountcy of free expression and the fundamental liberty to criticise religion – any religion – in the time, place and manner of our choosing.