Blasphemy laws by country

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Blasphemy law is a law limiting the freedom of speech regarding blasphemy, or apathy toward religious people, customs, and beliefs.

These laws can also forbid hate speech, the vilification of religion, or "religious insult".

In most countries, blasphemy is not a crime.

Afghanistan

An Islamic state, Afghanistan prohibits blasphemy as an offense under Sharia.

Algeria

Algeria uses retaliatory legislation rather than Sharia to combat blasphemy against Islam. The penalty for blasphemy can be up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine.

Australia

The states, the territories, and the Commonwealth of Australia are not uniform in their treatment of blasphemy. Blasphemy is an offense in some jurisdictions but is not in others.

Austria

In Austria, a section of the penal code relates to blasphemy.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh forbids blasphemy by a provision in its penal code that prohibits "hurting religious sentiments."

Brazil

Article 208 of the penal code states that "publicly vilifying an act or object of religious worship" is a crime.

United Kingdom

In England and Wales, blasphemy as an offence was abolished in 2008. Scotland still has blasphemy laws but since the last successful prosecution was in 1843, it is considered by some to be no longer a crime. Northern Ireland still retrains it's blasphemy laws although its use is extremely rare.

Criticism of Blasphemy Law

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