Ninety-nine people convicted of blasphemy in Malta last year

[Baluarte]

A report on human rights around the world from the US Department of State showed that 99 individuals were convicted in Malta last year for "public blasphemy". This was down from 119 the year before.

Maltese law prohibits vilification of or giving offence to the Roman Catholic Church, which is also Malta's official religion. In Malta, it is a criminal offence to utter publicly any obscene or indecent words, make obscene acts or gestures or in any other way offend public morality, propriety or decency.

However, the report was generally positive about the freedom of the press in Malta, saying that the media can express a wide variety of views without restriction.

"The constitution and law provide for freedom of speech and of the press, and the government generally respected these rights. An independent press and a functioning democratic political system combined to ensure freedom of speech and of the press," the report said.

It also pointed out that international media could operate freely and there was no indication of reprisals against individuals for either public or private criticism of the government.

However, the existence of a blasphemy law that is so heavily enforced tells a different story about the rights of individuals to say what is on their mind – particularly if it is about the Catholic Church.

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Secular media, screw them.

Good job Malta, the only country in Western Europe to stand up for the Old world

[Methmatician]

Never knew this about Malta. What a shame.

[Virtuous]

Never knew this about Malta. What a shame.

[B]However, the existence of a blasphemy law that is so heavily enforced tells a different story about the rights of individuals to say what is on their mind – particularly if it is about the Catholic Church.

Exaggerated, the "blasphemy law" is more related to public indecency/unrest than criticizing the Church.

When a Maltese swears, one does not simply say "God damn it". Maltese swearing is easily one of the most obscene, heavy and foul one in the world. I don't mind if people swear heavily in front of me, but certain people don't have respect for kids either and don't make a good example of respectable educated citizens/or sound appealing to who hears them. Heavy swearing is oftenly related to low life ignorant people in Malta, it's something cultural you can't understand.

[Baluarte]

Never knew this about Malta. What a shame.

Secularists behave the same way when someone attacks "democracy", "human rights" or any of their laicist arreligious principles.

Hypocritical and naive attitude.

[Roy]

What were they punished?

[Virtuous]

What were they punished?

Death!

Nah most probably just a fine.

[The Lawspeaker]

A little bit of side income for the State that passes on some of the profits to the Church (I guess). Yet another mediaeval law that should be removed from the books and the Church should lose any powers it had. It is the year 2013.. and it's dump this mediaeval nonsense and the separation between church and state should be enforced. In fact: this is what the European Union (this is one of the few times they could have done something good) could be demanded and enforced a long time ago.

[Baluarte]

Having a State religion is not backwardish, just like being secular is not progress. If anything, having a strong religious identity prevents Islamization, like so many members here whine about.

[The Lawspeaker]

Having a State religion is not backwardish, just like being secular is not progress. If anything, having a strong religious identity prevents Islamization, like so many members here whine about.

I disagree. What party let in the most Islamic immigrants here: KVP (Catholic Peoples' Party) and it's "child" (merged with the protestant parties) CDA.

[Baluarte]

The Maltese society has a strong attachment to its religion, in stark contrast to the spiritual emptiness of most European countries. That law is simply a reflection of that.

That is why the EU (promoter of laicism) always whines about Malta's religious identification.