PoliticsIraq Kurdistan: New law: Islamicist blasphemy law says No to religious pluralism

Blasphemy law is proposed 


after protests from Muslims in Kurdistan.



The bill for the protection of sanctuaries prescribes up to ten years in prison and fines up to $ 43 for crimes vaguely formulated, including "insulting and mocking of God" and "insulting, insulting and inappropriately portray prophets." Any media that publish or broadcast material considered blasphemous could be closed for up to one year and be fined.

The Project is the result of a manifestation of Muslim rage against an article published in the journal Chrpa in Erbil, eastern Iraq, via Facebook and republished in 2010, entitled "Me and God", an imaginary dialogue, condemned as blasphemous by some religious leaders local and an insult to Islam by government officials.

The editor in chief of Chrpa was arrested for "violation of religious sensitivity," but that was not enough to appease the wrath of Muslims.

Prompted by mullahs (Islamic theologians and teachers), hundreds of Muslims took to the streets of Erbil to protest, they threw stones at police and attacked a television network, a cultural center, bars and a sentry box in front of Parliament. Dozens of people were injured.

This is a worrying development for Christians in Kurdistan, many of whom fled to escape persecution in other parts of Iraq. They generally have enjoyed peace alongside other religious groups in Kurdistan. But recently they have received threats.

In December 2011, shops and businesses belonging to Christians and Yezidis, another minority group, were torched by Muslims in an outbreak of violent attacks.

In a separate incident the same month, a Christian of 29 years was kidnapped for ransom that could, something common in other parts of Iraq, but not in Kurdistan, raising fears that the persecution of Christians re-intensify in the region.

The introduction of a blasphemy law in Kurdistan would be a greater threat to Christians, who suffer severely under that legislation in other countries. Since the Arab Spring, similar laws have been proposed and / or implemented in several countries in the region, including Kuwait, Egypt and Tunisia, have been a number of high-profile cases of people being arrested for acts or statements deemed insulting to Islam.

Hat Tip to Cicero Ramos and Missões Urgente - Jesus te amo, Brazil