§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 21 February (WA 172), what are the "rights of others" which are protected by the offences of blasphemy. [HL1457]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandIf material or conduct is gratuitously offensive to Christians, and is prosecuted as such, a finding of blasphemy may be the appropriate response by a court to ensure that the rights of others under Article 9 are protected. In a number of cases, the European Court of Human Rights has found that it is justifiable to interfere with Article 10 rights to protect,inter alia, the religious rights of others.