Hate Speech
Sweden prohibits hate speech, and defines it as publicly making statements that threaten or express disrespect for an ethnic group or similar group regarding their race, skin colour, national or ethnic origin, faith or sexual orientation. The crime doesn't prohibit a pertinent and responsible debate (en saklig och vederhäftig diskussion), nor statements made in a completely private sphere. There are constiutional restrictions pertaining to which acts are criminalized, as well limits set by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The sexual orientation provision, added in 2002, was used to convict Pentecostalist pastor Åke Green of hate speech against homosexuality based on a 2003 sermon. His conviction was later overturned. Other noticeable cases are Dan Berner and Björn Björkqvist who got convicted for hate speech against Islam.
Read more about this topic: Censorship In Sweden
Famous quotes containing the words hate and/or speech:
“Struggling over my fickle heart, love draws it now this
way, and now hate that—but love, I think, is winning. I
will hate, if I have strength; if not, I shall love unwilling.”
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)
“As the truest society approaches always nearer to solitude, so the most excellent speech finally falls into Silence. Silence is audible to all men, at all times, and in all places. She is when we hear inwardly, sound when we hear outwardly. Creation has not displaced her, but is her visible framework and foil. All sounds are her servants, and purveyors, proclaiming not only that their mistress is, but is a rare mistress, and earnestly to be sought after.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)