‘Islamophobia’ and the law
| Author | Jogchum Vrielink |
| Published date | 01 March 2014 |
| Date | 01 March 2014 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/1358229113500418 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
‘Islamophobia’ and the
law: Belgian hate speech
legislation and the
wilful destruction
of the Koran
Jogchum Vrielink
Abstract
In Belgium a man was convicted for incitement to racial hatred and discrimination
because he publicly tore up a Koran, before the eyes of a small group of Muslims. The
case fits within a wider development of increasing legal sensitivity to ‘Islamophobia’. This
development, however, has several problematic aspects and implications, as is illustrated
by a detailed analysis of the case.
Keywords
Hate speech, incitement, symbolic speech, Islamophobia, Koran, racism
Introduction
On 8 June 2012, a man identified as Arne S. participated in a demonstration organised by
a radical right-wing political party, Vlaams Belang
1
(‘Flemish Interest’), opposing the
construction of a new mosque in the Belgian coastal city of Ostend. In the aftermath
of the demonstration, S. tore up a Koran in the presence of a small group of Muslims,
Research Centre on Equality Policies, Institute for Constitutional Law, University of Leuven,
Belgium
Corresponding author:
Jogchum Vrielink, Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Coordinator, Discrimination Law,
Research Centre on Equality Policies, Institute for Constitutional Law, University of Leuven,
Tiensestraat 41, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Email: jogchum.vrielink@law.kuleuven.be
International Journalof
Discrimination and theLaw
2014, Vol. 14(1) 54–65
ªThe Author(s) 2013
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DOI: 10.1177/1358229113500418
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