Denmark:
Teenager arrested for 'death rap'

A 17-year-old teenager was arrested for sending death threats in the form of a rap song to the Danish politician Naser Khader, reports the news agency Ritzau

The boy composed and produced a rap song in which he threatened Naser Khader and his family, and then he e-mailed it to Khader via the internet. It took the Danish police more than a month to track the 'death rapper' down. He was recently arrested in his home where he lives with his parents in the Copenhagen suburb Nørrebro. At the police station he confessed and was released shortly after. He will most likely later be taken to court, Ritzau reports.
Naser Khader has received many death treats since he started an organisation, Democratic Muslims, which aims at reforming Islam.

Not everything is allowed

As a point of departure, no censorship can be imposed or subsequent legal steps be taken against musicians because of what they express in their music. The European Court of Human Rights has interpreted artistic freedom of expression in a broad way. In a judgement from 1988 the Court observed, that "Those who create, perform, distribute or exhibit works of art contribute to the exchange of ideas and opinions which is essential for a democratic society. Hence the obligation on the State not to encroach unduly on their freedom of expression".

However, there are exceptions e.g.:
• Propaganda for war is always unlawful, as is advocacy for national, racial or religious hatred.
• States may also limit freedom of expression if it is necessary for a certain number of other reasons:
• Respect of the reputations of others (defamation),
• Protection of national security, public order, or of public health or morals.

In any case such limitations must be prescribed in a national law.