i

B L A SP H E M Y A N D F R E E D OM
O F E X P R E S SIO N

The 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-first century. Including comprehen-
sive and up-to-date comparative country studies, this book considers the
formulation of blasphemy bans, relevant jurisprudential interpretations,
the effect 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-balanced theoretical chapters. This
book is essential reading for scholars working within the fields 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.
András Koltay is Associate Professor and Head of the Department
of Private Law at Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Law in
Budapest, Hungary.

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iii

B L A SP H E M Y A N D F R E E D OM
O F E X P R E S SIO N
Comparative, Theoretical and Historical
Reflections after the Charlie Hebdo Massacre

Edited by
JEROEN TEMPERMAN
Erasmus University Rotterdam

A N D R Á S   KO LTAY
Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest

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 v

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Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781108416917
DOI: 10.1017/9781108242189
© Jeroen Temperman and András Koltay 2017
This 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-in-Publication Data
Names: Temperman, Jeroen, editor. | Koltay, András, 1978– editor.
Title: Blasphemy and freedom of expression: comparative, theoretical and historical
reflections after the Charlie Hebdo massacre / edited by Jeroen Temperman, Erasmus
University Rotterdam; András Koltay, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest.
Description: Cambridge, United Kingdom; New York, NY, USA:
Cambridge University Press, 2017. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017022403 | ISBN 9781108416917 (hardback)
Subjects: LCSH: Blasphemy – Law and legislation. | Freedom of expression.
Classification: 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.

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