OSCE media freedom representative, on official visit to Denmark, urges for full decriminalization of defamation, blasphemy

COPENHAGEN, 21 November 2013 – During her official visit to Denmark the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, held high-level meetings and urged for full decriminalization of defamation and blasphemy.

“I am encouraged by the vibrant debate in the Danish society on freedom of expression, especially with regard to the decriminalization of defamation and blasphemy. It is positive that civil society is engaged in monitoring the implementation of the public information law which I raised as a possible concern earlier this year.”

"Free speech should never be subject to criminal charges, this is why it is important for all countries to decriminalize defamation – even those where it has not been used for decades,” Mijatović said.

During her visit, Mijatović met with the Speaker of the Parliament Mogens Lykketoft, MP Peter Juel Jensen, a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry Kim Jorgensen, Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights Jonas Christoffersen, President of the Danish PEN association Anders Jerichow and Esben Orberg of the Danish Union of Journalists.