Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression: Comparative, Theoretical and Historical Reflections after the Charlie Hebdo Massacre

778 Pages·2017·7.772 MB·English

by  Jeroen Temperman, András Koltay

i
BLASPHEMY AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Th e tension between blasphemy laws and the freedom of expression in
modern times is a key area of debate within legal academia and beyond.
With contributions by leading scholars, this volume compares blasphemy
laws within a number of Western liberal democracies and debates the
legitimacy of these laws in the twenty- fi rst century. Including comprehen-
sive and up- to- date comparative country studies, this book considers the
formulation of blasphemy bans, relevant jurisprudential interpretations,
the eff ect on society, and the ensuing convictions and penalties where
applicable. It provides a useful historical analysis by discussing the legal-
political rationales behind the recent abolition of blasphemy laws in some
Western states. Contributors also consider the challenges to the tenability
of blasphemy laws in a selection of well-b alanced theoretical chapters. Th is
book is essential reading for scholars working within the fi elds of human
rights law, philosophy and sociology of religion and comparative politics.
Jeroen Temperman is Professor of International Law and Religion, and
Deputy Head of the Department of International and European Union
Law at Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Andr á s Koltay is Associate Professor and Head of the Department
of Private Law at P á zm á ny P é ter Catholic University Faculty of Law in
Budapest, Hungary.
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ii
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terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
iii
BLASPHEMY AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Comparative, Th eoretical and Historical
Refl ections aft er the C harlie Hebdo Massacre
Edited by
JEROEN TEMPERMAN
Erasmus University Rotterdam
ANDR Á S KOLTAY
Pá zm á ny P é ter Catholic University, Budapest
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
iv v
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10006, USA
477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
314–321, 3rd Floor, Plot 3, Splendor Forum, Jasola District Centre, New Delhi – 110025, India
79 Anson Road, #06- 04/ 06, Singapore 079906
Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge.
It furthers the University ’ s mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of
education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title:  www.cambridge.org/ 9781108416917
DOI:  10.1017/9781108242189
© Jeroen Temperman and Andr á s Koltay 2017
Th is publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2017
Printed in the United Kingdom by Clays, St Ives plc
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-i n- Publication Data
Names: Temperman, Jeroen, editor. | Koltay, Andrá s, 1978– editor.
Title: Blasphemy and freedom of expression: comparative, theoretical and historical
refl ections aft er the C harlie Hebdo massacre / edited by Jeroen Temperman, Erasmus
University Rotterdam; Andrá s Koltay, Pá zmá ny Pé ter Catholic University, Budapest.
Description: Cambridge, United Kingdom; New York, NY, USA:
Cambridge University Press, 2017. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifi ers: LCCN 2017022403 | ISBN 9781108416917 (hardback)
Subjects: LCSH: Blasphemy – Law and legislation. | Freedom of expression.
Classifi cation: LCC K5305.B57 2018 | DDC 345/.0288–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017022403
ISBN 978- 1- 108- 41691- 7 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs
for external or third- party internet websites referred to in this publication and does not
guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
i
BLASPHEMY AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Th e tension between blasphemy laws and the freedom of expression in
modern times is a key area of debate within legal academia and beyond.
With contributions by leading scholars, this volume compares blasphemy
laws within a number of Western liberal democracies and debates the
legitimacy of these laws in the twenty- fi rst century. Including comprehen-
sive and up- to- date comparative country studies, this book considers the
formulation of blasphemy bans, relevant jurisprudential interpretations,
the eff ect on society, and the ensuing convictions and penalties where
applicable. It provides a useful historical analysis by discussing the legal-
political rationales behind the recent abolition of blasphemy laws in some
Western states. Contributors also consider the challenges to the tenability
of blasphemy laws in a selection of well-b alanced theoretical chapters. Th is
book is essential reading for scholars working within the fi elds of human
rights law, philosophy and sociology of religion and comparative politics.
Jeroen Temperman is Professor of International Law and Religion, and
Deputy Head of the Department of International and European Union
Law at Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Andr á s Koltay is Associate Professor and Head of the Department
of Private Law at P á zm á ny P é ter Catholic University Faculty of Law in
Budapest, Hungary.
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
ii
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
iii
BLASPHEMY AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Comparative, Th eoretical and Historical
Refl ections aft er the C harlie Hebdo Massacre
Edited by
JEROEN TEMPERMAN
Erasmus University Rotterdam
ANDR Á S KOLTAY
Pá zm á ny P é ter Catholic University, Budapest
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
iv v
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10006, USA
477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
314–321, 3rd Floor, Plot 3, Splendor Forum, Jasola District Centre, New Delhi – 110025, India
79 Anson Road, #06- 04/ 06, Singapore 079906
Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge.
It furthers the University ’ s mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of
education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title:  www.cambridge.org/ 9781108416917
DOI:  10.1017/9781108242189
© Jeroen Temperman and Andr á s Koltay 2017
Th is publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2017
Printed in the United Kingdom by Clays, St Ives plc
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-i n- Publication Data
Names: Temperman, Jeroen, editor. | Koltay, Andrá s, 1978– editor.
Title: Blasphemy and freedom of expression: comparative, theoretical and historical
refl ections aft er the C harlie Hebdo massacre / edited by Jeroen Temperman, Erasmus
University Rotterdam; Andrá s Koltay, Pá zmá ny Pé ter Catholic University, Budapest.
Description: Cambridge, United Kingdom; New York, NY, USA:
Cambridge University Press, 2017. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifi ers: LCCN 2017022403 | ISBN 9781108416917 (hardback)
Subjects: LCSH: Blasphemy – Law and legislation. | Freedom of expression.
Classifi cation: LCC K5305.B57 2018 | DDC 345/.0288–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017022403
ISBN 978- 1- 108- 41691- 7 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs
for external or third- party internet websites referred to in this publication and does not
guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
i
BLASPHEMY AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Th e tension between blasphemy laws and the freedom of expression in
modern times is a key area of debate within legal academia and beyond.
With contributions by leading scholars, this volume compares blasphemy
laws within a number of Western liberal democracies and debates the
legitimacy of these laws in the twenty- fi rst century. Including comprehen-
sive and up- to- date comparative country studies, this book considers the
formulation of blasphemy bans, relevant jurisprudential interpretations,
the eff ect on society, and the ensuing convictions and penalties where
applicable. It provides a useful historical analysis by discussing the legal-
political rationales behind the recent abolition of blasphemy laws in some
Western states. Contributors also consider the challenges to the tenability
of blasphemy laws in a selection of well-b alanced theoretical chapters. Th is
book is essential reading for scholars working within the fi elds of human
rights law, philosophy and sociology of religion and comparative politics.
Jeroen Temperman is Professor of International Law and Religion, and
Deputy Head of the Department of International and European Union
Law at Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Andr á s Koltay is Associate Professor and Head of the Department
of Private Law at P á zm á ny P é ter Catholic University Faculty of Law in
Budapest, Hungary.
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189
ii
Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. , on (cid:4892)(cid:813)(cid:22607)(cid:789)(cid:4885)(cid:4867) , subject to the Cambridge Core
terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108242189