View source for Flag desecration

{{Short description|Method of protest or insulting of a flag}}
{{Redirect|Flag burning|burning of flags as a method of disposal|Flag protocol}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
[[File:Flag_Desecration_Legality.svg|thumb|upright=1.8|A map of countries by the legality of flag desecration as of 2025]]
'''Flag desecration''' is the [[desecration]] of a [[flag]], violation of [[flag protocol]], or various acts that intentionally destroy, damage, or mutilate a flag in public. In the case of a [[national flag]], such action is often intended to make a political point against a country or its policies. Some countries have laws against methods of destruction (such as '''burning''' in public) or forbidding particular uses (such as for commercial purposes); such laws may distinguish between the desecration of the country's own [[national flag]] and the desecration of flags of other countries. Some countries have also banned the desecration of all types of flags from inside the country to other country flags.<ref name="lloc" />

==Background==
Actions that may be treated as the desecration of a flag include [[burning]] it,<ref name=Charney>{{cite book|last=Charney|first=Evan|title=Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Voices, and Viewpoints |year=2009|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=978-0-7656-1761-3|page=180|edition=Vol 1|editor=Roger Chapman}}</ref> [[Urination|urinating]] or [[Defecation|defecating]] on it, defacing it with [[slogan]]s,<ref name=Charney/> stepping upon it, damaging it with stones; bullets; or any other projectile, cutting or ripping it,<ref name=Charney/> improperly flying it, verbally [[insult]]ing it, dragging it on the ground,<ref name=Welch>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Michael|title=Flag Burning: Moral Panic and the Criminalization of Protest|year=2000|publisher=Aldine Transaction|page=6}}</ref> or eating it, among other things.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last=Glionna |first=John M. |date=10 November 2010 |title=South Korea's dramatic protesters are ready for global spotlight |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-10-la-fg-korea-summit-protesters-20101110-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

Flag desecration may be undertaken for a variety of reasons. It may be a protest against a country's [[foreign policy]], including one's own, or the nature of the government in power there. It may be a protest against [[nationalism]] or a deliberate and symbolic insult to the people of the country represented by the flag. It may also be a protest at the very laws prohibiting the act of desecrating a flag.

=== Flag desecration laws ===
In some countries, desecrating a flag is a crime and may result in [[punishment]], such as a [[prison sentence]] or a [[fine (penalty)|fine]]. In countries where it is not, the act may still be prosecuted as [[disorderly conduct]] or [[arson]] or, if conducted on someone else's property, as [[theft]] or [[vandalism]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of countries' flag desecration permissibility and penalties
|-
!| Country || Flag desecration legal? || Penalty
|-
|{{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Algeria]] || rowspan="2" {{No}} || 5–10 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Argentina]] || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]] || {{Yes}} || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Austria]] ||rowspan="2" {{No}} || up to 6 months imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Azerbaijan]] || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium]] || {{Yes}} || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]] || rowspan="2" {{No}} || up to 1 month imprisonment<br />up to {{currency|10|BRL}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Bulgaria]] || up to 2 years imprisonment and fine up to €1,600 (flag of Bulgaria and EU)
|-
|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]] || {{Yes}} || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Chile]] || rowspan="4" {{No}} || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|China}} [[China]] || up to 3 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Croatia]] || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]] || fine up to 30,000 [[Czech koruna|CZK]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Denmark]] || {{Yes}}<br />(only the national flag of Denmark) || desecration of the Danish flag legal; a fine or up to 2 years imprisonment for desecrating a foreign (non-Danish) flag, but law unused since 1936
|-
|{{Flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Dominican Republic]] || rowspan="11" {{No}} ||up to 3 months imprisonment; from 5 to 20 [[minimum wage]]s fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Egypt]] || fine of up to 30,000 [[Egyptian pound]]s
|-
|{{flagicon|Ethiopia}} [[Ethiopia]] || up to 3 years imprisonment; up to {{currency|5,000|ETB}} fine 
|-
|{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]] || Fine of unspecified amount in legal code{{clarification needed|date=March 2025}}
|-
|{{flagicon|France}} [[France]] || up to 6 months imprisonment; up to {{€|7,500}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany]] || rowspan="2" | up to 3 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece]] 
|-
|{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Hungary]] || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|India}} [[India]] || up to 4 months imprisonment<br />up to {{currency|10,000|INR}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]] ||up to 10 years imprisonment; up to {{currency|1 billion|IDR}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]] || unknown
|-
|{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Ireland]] || {{Yes}} || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Israel]] || rowspan="2" {{No}} || up to 2 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]] || up to 2 years imprisonment; €1,000–€10,000 fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Japan]] || {{Yes}}<br />(since April 13, 2022) || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Kazakhstan]] ||  rowspan="7" {{No}} ||up to 2 years imprisonment or house arrest, or 900 hours community service; up to 3,000 [[Monthly calculation index|MCI]] fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Kyrgyzstan]] ||3–6 months imprisonment or up to 1 year house arrest; 50–100 monthly [[minimum wage]]s fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[Lithuania]] ||up to 2 years imprisonment; variable fine
|-
|{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[South Korea]] || up to 6 years imprisonment; up to {{SK won|4 million|link=yes}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia]] || 5–15 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico]] || 6 months to 4 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Morocco]] || variable fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]] || {{Yes}} || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]] || rowspan="2" {{No}} || {{currency|5000|NZD}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Nigeria]] || A fine of {{currency|100.00|NGN}} and in the case of a continuing offence to a fine of {{currency|10.00|NGN}} for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after the day on which such person is first convicted.<ref name=Mudi>{{cite news |last=Mudi|first=Johannes |date=18 October 2020|title=Shooting at the Nigerian Flag; What is the Law? |url=https://mudijohannes.medium.com/shooting-at-the-nigerian-flag-what-is-the-law-by-mudi-johannes-obukohwo-mudijohannes-8760b278157a#:~:text=It%20is%20thus%20evident%20that,to%20the%20Nigerian%20Flag%20treasonable|work=Medium}}</ref><ref name=LawNigeria>{{cite news |last=LawNigeria|first=Law |date=26 April 2018 |title=Flags and Coat of Arms Act Cap F30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 |url= https://laws.lawnigeria.com/2018/04/26/index-lfn-laws-of-the-federation-of-nigeria/|work=Team LawNigeria.com}}</ref><ref name=Dirisu>{{cite news |last=Dirisu|first=Yakubu|date=7 March 2024 |title=Reps propose N100,000 fine for national flag abusers |url=https://punchng.com/reps-propose-n100000-fine-for-national-flag-abusers/|work=punchng.com}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]] || {{Yes}} (since 2008) || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]] || rowspan="8" {{No}} || varies{{clarification needed|date=March 2025}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Philippines]] || up to 1 year imprisonment; up to {{₱|20,000|link=yes}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]] || up to 1 year imprisonment; variable fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Romania]] || up to 3 years imprisoment
|-
|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]] || up to 4 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Samoa}} [[Samoa]] || up to 6 months imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Saudi Arabia]] || up to 1 year imprisonment; up to {{currency|3,000|SAR}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]] || up to 6 months imprisonment; up to {{currency|30,000|SGD}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[South Africa]] || {{Yes}} (since 1994) || {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spain]] || {{No}} || €420–€144,000  fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]] || {{Yes}} (since 1971) || rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]] || {{Yes}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Taiwan}} [[Taiwan]] || rowspan="5" {{No}} || up to 1 year imprisonment; up to {{currency|9,000|TWD}} fine
|-
|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]] || up to 6 years imprisonment; {{currency|2,000|THB}} fine{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkey]] || up to 18 years imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]] || up to 1 year imprisonment
|-
|{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[United Arab Emirates]] || variable fine
|-
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]] || rowspan = "2" {{Yes}} || rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
|{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Uzbekistan]] || {{No}} || up to 360 hours community service or 3 years penal labour; up to 25 BCU fine
|}

== By jurisdiction ==

===Algeria===
In Algeria, flag desecration is a crime. According to article 160 [[wikt:bis#Latin|bis]] of the Algerian penal code, the intentional and public shredding, distortion, or desecration of the national flag results in five to ten years of imprisonment as punishment.

In 2010, an Algerian court convicted 18 people of flag desecration and punished them by up to six years of imprisonment and $10,000 in fines after protests about jobs and housing.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 July 2010|title=2 à 8 ans de prison pour avoir brulé le Drapeau algérien|language=fr|trans-title=2 to 8 years of prison for having burned the Algerian Flag|work=La Presse|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/international/afrique/201007/07/01-4296371-deux-a-huit-ans-de-prison-pour-avoir-brule-le-drapeau-algerien.php}}</ref>

===Argentina===
The Penal Code (Código Penal) on its Article 222 criminalizes the public desecration of the national flag, coat of arms, national anthem, or any provincial symbol, imposing one to four years of imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/15000-19999/16546/texact.htm#23|title=CODIGO PENAL DE LA NACION ARGENTINA|website=servicios.infoleg.gob.ar}}</ref> In other words, in Argentina, flag desecration is a crime, resulting in a punishment of up to one year of imprisonment.

=== Armenia ===
The Armenian criminal code punishes any insult to the flag (as well as to the coat of arms and the national anthem) with community service of up to two years or imprisonment of up to one year.<sup>[http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1349&lang=eng]</sup>

===Australia===
{{Main|Flag of Australia}}

====Legality====
Flag desecration is not, in itself, illegal in Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/25/1056449268681.html |title=Push to make flag burning illegal|publisher=Smh.com.au |location=Australia |access-date=8 March 2013 |date=25 June 2003}}</ref> However, flag desecration must be compliant with the law.

In ''[[Coleman v Kinbacher & Anor (Qld Police)]]'',<ref name=colemankinbacher>{{cite AustLII|QCA|575|2003|pinpoint=para. 24|courtname=auto |juris=Qld.}}<br />"The objectionable feature of the conduct had very little to do with its political significance. It related to the lighting of a large piece of synthetic material to which petrol had been added in close proximity to larger numbers of people including young children. The circumstances were such as to arouse the apprehension of parents for the safety of their children."</ref> Coleman was successfully prosecuted for flag burning, not because of its political nature, but because given the size of the flag, the use of petrol as an accelerant, and the fact that it was in an open park area, many members of the public experienced "concern, fright and anger", and in these circumstances flag burning could be considered [[disorderly conduct]].

====Attempts to ban flag burning====
There have been several attempts to pass bills making flag burning illegal in Australia, none of which have yet been successful. In 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992, [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] MP [[Michael Cobb]] introduced bills making it an offence to desecrate, dishonour, burn, mutilate or destroy the Australian national flag. On each occasion, the bill failed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd0304/04bd042|title=Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2003}}</ref> As of May 2016, the most recent bill which attempted to ban flag burning was the ''Flags Amendment (Protecting Australian Flags) Bill 2016'', which was introduced by [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] MP [[George Christensen]] but lapsed in April 2016.<ref name="flagbill2016">[http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5628 ''Flags Amendment (Protecting Australian Flags) Bill 2016''].</ref>

====Historical occurrences====
During the [[2005 Cronulla riots]], a Lebanese-Australian youth, whose name has been kept secret, climbed a [[Returned and Services League of Australia|Returned and Services League (RSL)]] club building and tore down its flag before setting it on fire. The youth was sentenced to 12 months [[probation]] not for flag desecration but for the destruction of property of the RSL.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/flag-burner-should-be-jailed/2006/08/23/1156012588961.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Flag burner 'should be jailed' |date=23 August 2006}}</ref> In October of that year the youth accepted an invitation from the RSL to carry the Australian flag along with war veterans in the [[Anzac Day]] march the following year.<ref name="news.com.au">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20559862-2,00.html |title=No Anzac march for flag burner |first=Paul |last=Mulvey |date=11 October 2006 |agency=AAP |access-date=11 October 2006 |archive-date=27 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027155839/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20559862-2,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, the RSL was forced to withdraw this invitation as it received phone calls from people threatening to pelt the youth with missiles on the day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/rsl-rethinks-flag-idea/2006/10/11/1160246197880.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=RSL rethinks flag idea after threats |date=12 October 2006}}</ref> The head of the New South Wales RSL was quoted as saying that "the people who made these threats ought to be bloody ashamed of themselves".<ref name="news.com.au"/>

In 2006, Australian contemporary artist [[Azlan McLennan]] burnt an Australian flag and displayed it on a billboard outside the Trocadero artspace in [[Footscray, Victoria]]. He called the artpiece ''Proudly UnAustralian''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2006/s1563582.htm |title=7.30 Report – 06/02/2006: Art prompts call for flag-burning law change |publisher=ABC |location=Australia |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211040610/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2006/s1563582.htm |archive-date=11 February 2006 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The socialist youth group [[Resistance (socialist youth organisation)|Resistance]] marketed "flag-burning kits"{{snd}}inspired by, and to protest, the censorship of Azlan McLennan's art{{snd}}to university students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/657/7349 |title=Flag-burning kits for sale &#124; Green Left Weekly |publisher=Greenleft.org.au |date=22 February 2006 |access-date=1 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006091216/http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/657/7349 |archive-date=6 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre worker Adam Thompson burned the Australian flag on the week of [[Australia Day]] (2008) celebrations in [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]'s City Park to the cheers of about 100 people, who were rallying against what they call "[[Invasion Day]]".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080201100039/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/29/2148780.htm PM called on to outlaw flag-burning], ''ABC News''</ref>

[[Aboriginal Tent Embassy|Tent embassy]] activists burned the Australian flag on 27 January 2012 at the entrance to [[Canberra]]'s Parliament House as they called for Aboriginal sovereignty over Australia.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-27/protesters-march-on-parliament-house/3796988 Tent Embassy protesters march on Parliament], ''ABC News''</ref>

===Austria===
In Austria, flag desecration is illegal under §248 [[Strafgesetzbuch (Austria)|Strafgesetzbuch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jusline.at/248_Herabw%C3%BCrdigung_des_Staates_und_seiner_Symbole_StGB.html|title=§ 248 StGB (Strafgesetzbuch), Herabwürdigung des Staates und seiner Symbole |website=www.jusline.at}}</ref> Offenders can be fined or punished with up to six months of imprisonment. Under §317 Strafgesetzbuch desecration of flags of foreign states or international organizations can be punished if Austria maintains diplomatic relations with them or belongs to the respective organization.{{clarify|date=October 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jusline.at/317_Herabw%C3%BCrdigung_fremder_Symbole_StGB.html|title=§ 317 StGB (Strafgesetzbuch), Herabwürdigung fremder Symbole |website=www.jusline.at}}</ref>

=== Azerbaijan ===
The Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, Article 324, penalizes desecration of the national flag or state emblem with imprisonment for up to one year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Criminal code of the Azerbaijan Republic |url=https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=2670 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=CIS Legislation |publisher=SoyuzPravoInform LLC}}</ref>

===Belgium===
Flag desecration is not illegal in Belgium. [[Flanders|Flemish]] nationalists have burned Belgian flags on at least one occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2007 |title=Les jeunes N-VA brûlent le drapeau belge |url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/2007/09/13/les-jeunes-n-va-brulent-le-drapeau-belge-GN5DMT34WVBOBKXQ3SVQBHMIF4/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[La Libre Belgique|La Libre]] |language=fr}}</ref>

===Brazil===
Brazilian law number 5700, chapter V,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/L5700.htm | title=L5700}}</ref> from 1971, concerns respect and the national flag:

Article 30 states that, when in the flag is being marched or paraded (for example, when the national anthem is being played), everyone present must take a respectful attitude, standing in silence. Males must remove any head coverings. Military personnel must salute or present arms according to their corps' internal regulations.

Article 31 states that people are prohibited from:

{{Ordered list|list-style-type=upper-roman
|presenting or flying any national flag which is in a poor condition;
|altering the proportions, colors, shape, or label of national flag, or deface it with numbers, words or symbols or any other inscriptions;
|using the national flag as clothing, a mouth covering, curtain, tablecloth or napkin, table trim, a podium coating, or as a cover for objects that are to be inaugurated; and
|using the national flag as a label or wrapping for products at a sale.
}}

Article 32 states that flags in a bad condition must be sent to the nearest military unit for incineration on Flag Day according to ceremonial procedures.

Article 33 states that, except at diplomatic missions such as embassies and consulates, no foreign flag may be flown without a Brazilian flag of the same size in a prominent position alongside it.

Chapter VI of the law states, in article 35, that the act of a civilian breaking this law is considered a [[misdemeanor]], punished with a fine of one to four times the highest reference value active in the country, doubled in repeated infringement cases. In the Brazilian Armed Forces' Military Penal Code,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto-lei/del1001.htm | title=Del1001}}</ref> article 161, a soldier, airman or seaman who disrespects any national symbol is punished with one to two years' detention; officers may be declared unsuitable for their rank. In other words, the desecration of a flag is illegal in Brazil, resulting in up to one month of imprisonment and a fine of up to ten reais as punishment.

===Bulgaria===
The desecration of any national symbol, including the national flag, is a crime in Bulgaria, resulting in up to two years of imprisonment as punishment and a fine of up to €1,600.

===Canada===
{{Main|Flag of Canada}}

====Legality====
Flag desecration is not, in itself, a crime in Canada. Acts of this nature are forms of expression protected by the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].

In 1990, during heated political times around the [[Meech Lake Accord]], the [[flag of Quebec]] was desecrated by protestors in [[Brockville, Ontario]] opposed to [[Charter of the French Language|Quebec's language laws]] after the Canadian flag had been burnt in protests in Quebec. Televised images of individuals stepping on the Quebec flag were played in [[Quebec]] and contributed to the deterioration in relations between Quebec and [[English Canada]]. The incident, seen as a metaphor of Canada's perceived rejection of Quebec (and of Quebec's distinctiveness in the demise of the Meech Lake Accord) was invoked by [[Quebec nationalism|Quebec nationalists]] during the run-up to the [[1995 Quebec referendum|1995 referendum]] on [[Quebec sovereignty movement|Quebec independence]] and is still remembered today.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

In 1999, members of the [[Westboro Baptist Church]] from the United States staged a burning of the Canadian Flag outside of the [[Supreme Court of Canada]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario]]. This was to protest legalization of [[same-sex marriage in Canada|same-sex marriage]] which was being adjudicated by the Canadian court.

===Chile===
The ''Ley de Seguridad Interior del Estado'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bcn.cl/leychile/navegar?idNorma=16080 | title=Decreto 890 de 1975 del Ministerio del Interior}}</ref> articles 6 and 7, defines as a crime the public desecration of the national flag, coat of arms, the name of the country or the national anthem, and imposes a period of imprisonment, relegation or estrangement for a period of up to one year.

===China===
[[File:2008 Tibet. China..jpg|thumb|right|Chinese flag burned by Tibetan Anti-China protesters in India in 2008]]
[[File:Protest_Mobilization_Against_State_Visit_of_Xi_Jinping_US-China_Flag_Burning_by_Students_from_University_of_the_Philippines_Diliman_and_Ateneo_de_Manila.jpg|thumb|Student activists from University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University burn the flags of China and US to protest against their encroachment of Philippine sovereignty.]]
{{See also|Flag of China#Desecration}}
Flag desecration is a crime in China. The penal code<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cecc.gov/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803234710/http://www.cecc.gov/pages/newLaws/criminalLawENG.php|url-status=dead|title=Congressional-Executive Commission on China|archive-date=3 August 2010|website=www.cecc.gov}}</ref> provides for up to three years of imprisonment criminal detention, public surveillance, or deprivation of political rights for "whoever desecrates the [[flag of China|National Flag]] or the [[National Emblem of the People's Republic of China|National Emblem]] of the People's Republic of China by intentionally burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling upon it in a public place".

====Hong Kong====
{{Wikisource-multi|National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance|Regional Flag and Regional Emblem Ordinance}}
Chinese laws concerning flag desecration were incorporated into Hong Kong law as the [[National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance]] in 1997 as required by Annex III of [[Hong Kong Basic Law|the territory's constitution]]. The [[Regional Flag and Regional Emblem Ordinance]] is the equivalent statute in respect of the Hong Kong flag. Both ordinances ban desecration of the Chinese flag and Hong Kong flag, respectively, through methods including "burning, mutilating, scrawling on, defiling or trampling".<ref name="lawmakerarrest">{{cite news|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/04/12/hong-kong-lawmaker-arrested-charged-flipping-flags-legislative-meeting/|title=Hong Kong lawmaker arrested and charged after flipping flags at legislative meeting|last1=Cheng|first1=Kris|date=12 April 2017|work=Hong Kong Free Press}}</ref>

In 1999, two individuals were convicted for desecration of the [[flag of Hong Kong|Regional Flag of Hong Kong]] and the [[flag of China|Chinese flag]]. They were found guilty by a magistrate, had the conviction overturned in the [[High Court of Hong Kong|High Court]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hklii.hk/hk/jud/en/hkcfi/1999/HCMA000563_1998.html|title=HKSAR v. NG KUNG SIU AND ANOTHER – [1999&#93; HKCFI 310; HCMA000563/1998, 23 March 1999|publisher=Hklii.hk|access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref> but the convictions were restored by the [[Court of Final Appeal (Hong Kong)|Court of Final Appeal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hklii.hk/cgi-hklii/disp.pl/hk/jud/en/hkcfa/1999/FACC000004%5f1999.html?query=%7e+facc000004%2f1999|title=HKSAR v. NG KUNG SIU AND ANOTHER – [1999&#93; HKCFA 91; [1999&#93; 2 HKCFAR 442; [1999&#93; 3 HKLRD 907; [2000&#93; 1 HKC 117; FACC000004/1999, 15 December 1999|publisher=Hklii.hk|access-date=1 September 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> They were bound over to keep the peace on their own recognisance of $2,000 for 12 months for each of the two charges.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} In the judgement, Chief Justice [[Andrew Li]] said although the [[Basic Law of Hong Kong]] guarantees freedom of speech, flag desecration is not legal because there are other protest methods.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

Social activist Koo Sze-yiu has been convicted several times of flag desecration. He was sentenced to a nine-month prison term in 2013 for the offence.<ref name="rthk1">{{cite news|url=http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1247156-20160308.htm|title=Activist gets six weeks' jail for burning HK flag|date=8 March 2016|work=Radio Television Hong Kong}}</ref> However, the sentence was reduced to four months and two weeks after an appeal. In March 2016, he was sentenced to a six-week prison term for burning the regional flag in Wanchai on [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day|HKSAR Establishment Day]] in 2015. Koo responded that "he is happy to be punished as being jailed is part of the life of an activist, and he would continue to protest against the Beijing and Hong Kong governments and fight for democracy."<ref name="rthk1"/> In January 2021, Koo was again jailed, this time for four months, for displaying an inverted Chinese flag with slogans written on it in July 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chau |first1=Candice |title=Veteran Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Koo Sze-yiu jailed for 4 months for desecrating Chinese national flag |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/01/28/veteran-hong-kong-pro-democracy-activist-koo-sze-yiu-jailed-for-4-months-for-desecrating-chinese-national-flag/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=28 January 2021}}</ref>

In October 2016, some miniature Chinese and Hong Kong flags that had been placed by pro-Beijing legislators in the Legislative Council chamber were flipped upside down by lawmaker [[Cheng Chung-tai]], who regarded them as "cheap patriotic acts". In April 2017 he was charged with flag desecration. He alleged that the arrest was part of a "general cleansing" of dissenting voices ahead of [[Carrie Lam]]'s inauguration as new chief executive.<ref name="lawmakerarrest"/> On 29 September 2017, the [[Magistrates' Court (Hong Kong)|Eastern Magistrates' Court]] found Cheng guilty and fined him $5,000.<ref name="guilty">{{cite news|last1=Cheung|first1=Karen|title=Civic Passion lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai found guilty of 'desecrating' flags during legislative session|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/09/29/breaking-civic-passion-lawmaker-cheng-chung-tai-found-guilty-desecrating-flags-legislative-session/|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=29 September 2017}}</ref>

In December 2019, a 13-year-old girl was sentenced to 12 months probation for flag desecration during the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]]. She received a curfew as well as a criminal record; the act was described as "rash" by magistrate Kelly Shui. Government intervention was on the basis of "(Maliciously) challenging the national sovereignty".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/12/13/girl-13-sentenced-12-months-probation-burning-china-flag-hong-kong-protest/|title=Girl, 13, sentenced to 12 months probation for burning China flag at Hong Kong protest|last=Chan|first=Holmes|date=2019-12-13|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>

===Croatia===
Croatian history recalls the burning of the flag of the [[Kingdom of Hungary#Austria-Hungary (1867–1918)|Kingdom of Hungary]] during the [[1895 visit of Emperor Franz Joseph to Zagreb]]. Two people involved in the incident, [[Stjepan Radić]] and [[Vladimir Vidrić]], later pursued notable careers in politics and literature, respectively. In modern Croatia, desecrating any national flag or treating any national flag in a disrespectful manner is a felony. Offenders can face up to one year of imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zakon.hr/z/98/Kazneni-zakon|title=Kazneni zakon – Zakon.hr|website=www.zakon.hr}}</ref>

===Denmark===
In [[Denmark]], it is legal to burn or desecrate the national flag, the [[flag of Denmark|Dannebrog]].<ref name=DRFlag>{{cite news|title=Dannebrog må fortsat brænde|url=http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/dannebrog-maa-fortsat-braende|publisher=[[DR (broadcaster)|DR Nyheder]]|date=10 January 2006|access-date=30 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=debate>{{cite web|title=History and Debate of Flag Burning|url=http://www.debate.org/flag-burning/|website=Debate.org|access-date=1 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730065632/http://www.debate.org/flag-burning/|archive-date=30 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However it is illegal to publicly burn or desecrate the flags of foreign countries, the [[flag of the United Nations|United Nations]] and [[flag of Europe|Council of Europe]] according to § 110e of the [[Danish penal code]]<ref name=debate/><ref>{{cite web|title=Straffeloven (Danish Penal Code)|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=164192#Kap12|website=retsinformation.dk|access-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> because [[Folketing|Parliament]] has decided that burning or desecrating these is a matter of [[Foreign relations of Denmark|foreign relations]],<ref name=DRFlag/> as it could be construed as a threat. This law is rarely enforced; the last conviction was in 1936.<ref name=DRFlag/>

====Faroe Islands====
In the autonomous [[Faroe Islands]], the flag law states that the Faroese flag, ''[[Merkið]]'', may not be desecrated, "neither by words nor by deeds".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logir.fo/Logtingslog/42-fra-17-07-1959-um-flaggid-sum-broytt-vid-logtingslog-nr-109-fra-29-desember|title=Løgtingslóg nr. 42 frá 17. juli 1959 um flaggið, sum broytt við løgtingslóg nr. 109 frá 29. desember 1998|publisher=logir.fo|access-date=16 January 2023|language=fo}}</ref>

=== Dominican Republic ===
The law of patriotic symbols<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://memoriahistorica.senadord.gob.do/server/api/core/bitstreams/630140c8-123b-4469-a7c7-6cbe5af96302/content |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230417210040/https://memoriahistorica.senadord.gob.do/server/api/core/bitstreams/630140c8-123b-4469-a7c7-6cbe5af96302/content |archive-date=2023-04-17 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=memoriahistorica.senadord.gob.do}}</ref> (Law 210-19) which among other things regulates the use of the [[Flag of the Dominican Republic|national flag]], states that any person who desecrates the flag may be punished with 1 to 3 months of imprisonment and a fine ranging from 5 to 20 [[minimum wage]]s.

===Egypt===
Flag desecration has been illegal in Egypt since 2014. It results in a fine of up to 30,000 Egyptian pounds (about $4,300) as the punishment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-01 |title=Egypt criminalizes flag desecration |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-criminalizes-flag-desecration/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

===Ethiopia===
In 2009, the [[Parliament of Ethiopia]] passed Proclamation 654/2009 (The Federal Flag Proclamation), which prohibited firstly amongst 23 other provisions "use [of] the Flag without its Emblem", as well as "to deface the Flag by writing or displaying signs, {{sic}} symbols, emblems or picture {{sic}}", or "to prepare or use the Flag without the proper order of its colors and size or its Emblem."<ref name="FNG0908">{{cite journal|title=Proclamation No. 654/2009 – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Flag Proclamation|journal=Federal Negarit Gazeta|date=28 August 2009|pages=4843–4855|url=https://chilot.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/flag.pdf}}</ref> While most offenses were punishable by a fine of "3000 birr or rigorous imprisonment up to one year", the first offense, mandating the usage of the emblem, received an increased penalty of "5000 birr or the rigorous imprisonment of up to three years."<ref name="FNG0908" /> This replaced the 1996 Flag Proclamation, which had made no mention of offenses or penalties.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021|reason=Previous source is permanently dead.}}

===Finland===
According to the law on the [[flag of Finland|Finnish flag]],<ref>{{cite act |title=Laki Suomen lipusta |number=380 |language=fi |date=26 May 1978 |url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1978/380 |access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref> it is illegal to desecrate the flag, treat it in disrespecting manner, or remove it from a public place without permission.

===France===
According to French law,<ref>[http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do;jsessionid=4CFEE8C62B57E9BE28B98BBCEDC74445.tpdjo14v_2?idArticle=LEGIARTI000006418556&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070719&dateTexte=20080601 Loi n°2003-239 du 18 mars 2003 pour la sécurité intérieure] ''De l'outrage''</ref> a person outraging the French national anthem or the French flag during an event organized or regulated by public authorities is liable to a fine of up to €7,500 and a punishment of up to six months of imprisonment if performing in a gathering. The law targets "outrageous behaviour" during public ceremonies and major sports events.

This clause was added as an amendment to a large bill dealing with internal security, in reaction to a [[association football|football]] match during which there had been whistles against ''[[La Marseillaise]]'', but also to similar actions during public ceremonies.<ref>[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/cri/2002-2003/20030125.asp Proceedings] of the French national assembly, second sitting of 23 January 2003</ref> The amendment initially prohibited such behaviour regardless of the context, but a parliamentary commission later restricted its scope to events organized or regulated by public authorities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/rapports/r0595.asp|title=N° 595 – Rapport de M. Christian Estrosi sur le projet de loi, adopté avec modification par l'Assemblée nationale après déclaration d'urgence, pour la sécurité intérieure (153)|website=www.assemblee-nationale.fr}}</ref> which is to be understood, according to the ruling of the [[Constitutional Council of France|Constitutional Council]], as events organized by public authorities, mass sport matches and other mass events taking place in enclosures, but not private speech, literary or artistic works, or speech during events not organized or regulated by public authorities.<ref>The [[Constitutional Council of France|Constitutional Council]] considered that the events regulated by public authorities consist in public events of a sportive, recreative or cultural character organized in enclosures that law and regulations submit to health and safety rules because of their size. See [http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/francais/les-decisions/depuis-1958/decisions-par-date/2003/2003-467-dc/decision-n-2003-467-dc-du-13-mars-2003.855.html Decision 2003-467 DC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301214858/http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/francais/les-decisions/depuis-1958/decisions-par-date/2003/2003-467-dc/decision-n-2003-467-dc-du-13-mars-2003.855.html |date=1 March 2009 }}, section 104.</ref>

In 2006, a man who had publicly burnt a French flag stolen from the façade of the city hall of [[Aurillac]] during a public festival, organized and regulated by public authorities, was fined €300.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichJuriJudi.do?oldAction=rechJuriJudi&idTexte=JURITEXT000006951041|title=Ruling of 14 June 2006 |publisher=Court of Appeal of [[Riom]]|website=legifrance.gouv.fr}}</ref>

A July 2010 law makes it a crime to desecrate the French national flag in a public place, but also to distribute images of a flag desecration, even when done in a private setting, if the objective is to create trouble in public space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?categorieLien=id&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000022509096&dateTexte=|title=Décret n° 2010-835 du 21 juillet 2010 relatif à l'incrimination de l'outrage au drapeau tricolore|website=legifrance.gouv.fr}}</ref> On 22 December 2010, an Algerian national was the first person to be convicted under the new status, and ordered to pay a €750 after breaking the pole of a flag hung in the [[Alpes-Maritimes]] [[prefecture]] a day prior.<ref>[http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2010/12/22/01016-20101222ARTFIG00509-un-algerien-condamne-pour-outrage-au-drapeau-francais.php Un Algérien condamné pour outrage au drapeau français, ''Le Monde''], 12 December 2010</ref>

===Germany===
[[File:German flag burning 2.jpg|thumb|German flags being burned in protest]]
Under the German criminal code (§90a [[Strafgesetzbuch]] (StGB)), it is illegal to revile or damage the German federal flag as well as any flags of its states in public. Offenders can be fined or sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, or fined or sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison if the act was intentionally used to support the eradication of the Federal Republic of Germany or to violate constitutional rights. Actual convictions because of a violation of the criminal code need to be balanced against the constitutional right of the freedom of expression, as ruled multiple times by Germany's constitutional court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/dfr/bv081278.html|title=DFR – BVerfGE 81, 278 – Bundesflagge|first=Axel |last=Tschentscher|website=www.servat.unibe.ch}}</ref>

The [[Anti-Flag Desecration Law (Germany)|original law from 1932]] was expanded in 1935 to include the [[flag of Nazi Germany]].

As of 2020, it also results in up to three years of imprisonment as punishment for damaging or reviling the flag of any foreign country (§104 StGB). Until then, only flags that were shown publicly by tradition, event, or routinely by representatives of an official foreign entity were protected. The legislative reform to include also unofficially or privately used flags was an explicit reaction to the repeated burning of Israeli flags during anti-Israeli protests.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bundestag verbietet Flaggen-Verbrennung |url=https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Bundestag-verbietet-Flaggen-Verbrennung-article21782395.html |access-date=15 May 2020 |work=n-tv |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-15|title=Germany bans burning of EU and other flags|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52674809|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>

As part of that reform, a newly formed §90c StGB was introduced that extends the scope of protection to the flag and anthem of the [[European Union]].

After the [[fall of the Berlin Wall]] in November 1989, some [[East Germany|East Germans]] cut out the emblem from their [[flag of East Germany|national flag]] in support for a reunified, democratic Germany. This flag is now used by the [[Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship]].<ref>{{cite book|first1=Montserrat |last1=Guibernau |title=Belonging: Solidarity and Division in Modern Societies |publisher=Polity Press |date=26 July 2013 |isbn=978-0745655079 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oz_nkP8m8a0C&q=Montserrat+Guibernau+Belonging:+Solidarity+and+Division+in+Modern+Societies |page=95}}</ref><ref>[http://www.stiftung-aufarbeitung.de/downloads/pdf/english.pdf Information pamphlet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227143044/http://www.stiftung-aufarbeitung.de/downloads/pdf/english.pdf |date=27 February 2012 }} by the Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship. Retrieved on 9 March 2008.</ref>

===Greece===
Under article 188 of Greece's Penal code, flag desecration, along with the desecration of other Greek symbols, is illegal and results in up to two years of imprisonment as punishment.

===Hungary===
[[File:1956flag.jpg|thumb|1956 Revolution Flag flying in front of the [[Hungarian Parliament Building]]]]
Desecration of the national flag is illegal in Hungary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Act C of 2012 on the Criminal Code – Section 334: Blasphemy of National Symbol |url=https://thb.kormany.hu/download/a/46/11000/Btk_EN.pdf |website=Ministry of Interior |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126075228/https://thb.kormany.hu/download/a/46/11000/Btk_EN.pdf |archive-date=2024-01-26 |quote=Any person who - before the public at large - uses an expression to dishonor or degrade the national anthem, the flag or the coat of arms, or the Holy Crown of Hungary, or commits any other similarly slanderous act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year, insofar as the act did not result in a more serious criminal offense.|url-status=live}}</ref>

During a demonstration at the beginning of the [[Hungarian revolution of 1956]] someone in the crowd cut out the communist coat of arms from the Hungarian flag, leaving a distinctive hole, and others quickly followed suit. The "flag with a hole" became a symbol of the Hungarian resistance.<ref name="Heller">{{cite book
 |last         = Heller
 |first        = Andor
 |title        = No More Comrades
 |publisher    = Henry Regnery Company
 |year         = 1957
 |location     = Chicago
 |url          = http://www.historicaltextarchive.com/books.php?op=viewbook&bookid=13&cid=15#N_1_
 |pages        = 9–84
 |id           = ASIN B0007DOQP0
 |access-date  = 11 October 2006
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061108181307/http://historicaltextarchive.com/books.php?op=viewbook&bookid=13&cid=15#N_1_
 |archive-date = 8 November 2006
 |url-status   = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://flagspot.net/flags/hu_1956.html |title=Hungary – 1956 Uprising Flags |publisher=Flagspot.net |access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref> The practice of cutting out the communist coat of arms was also followed by other [[Eastern Bloc]] countries, such as [[Socialist Republic of Romania|Romania]], especially during the [[Revolutions of 1989]].

===India===
{{Main|Flag of India|Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971}}
The [[Indian Flag Code]] is a set of laws that govern the usage of the Flag of India. The [[Bureau of Indian Standards]] is in charge of the enforcement of the manufacture of the flag according to the guidelines.

Violation of the code may invite severe punishments and penalties. The code was written in 2002 and merged the following acts: provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (No.12 of 1950) and the [[Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971|Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (No. 69 of 1971)]].

The Indian Flag Code was often criticized for being too rigid and prevented ordinary citizens from displaying the flag on homes and other buildings. For many years, only government officials and other government buildings could unfurl the flag. That changed in 2001 when [[Naveen Jindal]] won a court case in the [[Supreme Court of India]] to give Indians the right to unfurl the flag publicly. The Indian cricket batsman [[Sachin Tendulkar]] was accused of sporting the flag on his cricket helmet below the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India|BCCI]] emblem. He later changed it and placed the flag above the emblem. The flag code was updated in 2005; some new provisions include that the flag cannot be worn under the waist or on undergarments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2002/fapr2002/f030420021.html |title=Flag code of India |publisher=Government of India |access-date=9 June 2011}}</ref>

===Indonesia===
Article 24 of Law No. 24/2009 on Flags, Language, National Symbols, and Anthems, states that people are prohibited from:<ref name="UU No 24/2009">{{cite act |type=Law |index=24 |date=2009 |legislature=[[People's Representative Council]] |title=Undang-undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 24 Tahun 2009 Tentang Bendera, Bahasa, dan Lambang Negara, serta Lagu Kebangsaan |url=https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Home/Details/38661/uu-no-24-tahun-2009 |language=id}}</ref>

# destroying, tearing, trampling, burning, or performing other actions with the intention to tarnish, insult, or degrade the honour of the national flag;
# using the national flag for billboards or commercials;
# flying the national flag if it is damaged, torn, smudged, crumpled, or faded;
# printing on, embroidering or adding letters, numbers, images or other signs, or adding badges or any objects to the national flag;
# using the national flag to cover a ceiling or roof, or for wrapping or covering goods in a way that can degrade the honor of the national flag.

Article 66 and 67 of Law No. 24/2009 states that anyone who commits any of these prohibited acts may face up to ten years of imprisonment as punishment or a fine of up to a billion rupiah.

===Iran===
In Iran, flag desecration is a crime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-16 |title=Iran: Activists tortured for alleged 'flag-burning' |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/2110/2015/en/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref>

===Iraq===
In 2004, many copies of the proposed new flag for Iraq were burnt (see [[flag of Iraq]]).{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} There were no such examples of burning the current Iraqi national flags, even by political opponents, as both contain the ''[[takbir]]'', so this would be seen as a religious insult in [[Islam]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

===Ireland===
{{See also|Northern Ireland flags issue}}
The [[Department of the Taoiseach]]'s guide to the [[flag of Ireland]] includes a list of "practices to avoid".<ref name="taoiseach">{{cite web|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/upload/publications/1104.pdf#page=14|title=Practices to avoid|author=Protocol Section|work=An Bhratach Náisiúnta / The National Flag|publisher=Department of the Taoiseach|page=14|access-date=28 March 2011}}</ref> This states in part "The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or pictures of any kind on it, for example at sporting events."<ref name="taoiseach"/> A tricolour inscribed "Davy Keogh says hello" waved continually since 1981 has given its eponymous bearer a modicum of fame among [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland soccer]] supporters.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Wolff|first=Alexander|date=13 June 1994|title=Here Come The Lads|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005294/3/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203045504/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005294/3/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/nov/04/footballinireland.iran|title=There are times when your team needs you...|last=Byrne|first=Nicola|date=4 November 2001|work=The Observer |access-date=28 March 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/hello-again-davy-keogh-still-flying-the-flag-1763748.html|title=Hello again...Davy Keogh still flying the flag|last=Bray|first=Allison|date=6 June 2009|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=28 March 2011}}</ref> [[Guinness]] ran a promotion before the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] distributing Irish flags to supporters in [[Irish pub|pubs]], on which the tricolour's white band was defaced with Guinness's harp logo (which is similar to, but different from, the harp on the [[Coat of arms of Ireland|Irish coat of arms]]).<ref name="GuinnessLetter">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/in-defence-of-guinness-303257.html|title=Letters: In defence of Guinness|last=Barry|first=Pat|date=18 June 2002|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=28 March 2011}}</ref> Guinness apologised after public criticism.<ref name="GuinnessLetter"/> [[Cecilia Keaveney]] said in a subsequent [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]] debate, "It may not be possible to address defacing the flag through legislation, but the House must issue a strong message that this is unacceptable."<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2002/06/20/00005.asp#N56 Dáil debates Vol.553 No. 4 p. 5] 20 June 2002</ref>

[[Seán O'Casey]]'s 1926 play ''[[The Plough and the Stars]]'' attracted controversy for its critical view of the [[Easter Rising]], in particular a scene in which a tricolour is brought into a pub frequented by a prostitute.<ref name="WattMorgan2000">{{cite book|last1=Watt|first1=Stephen|last2=Morgan|first2=Eileen M.|last3=Mustafa|first3=Shakir M.|title=A century of Irish drama: widening the stage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ufvnsX-ny8C&pg=PA108|access-date=28 March 2011|year=2000|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-21419-5|page=108}}</ref> On 7 May 1945, the day before [[V-E Day]], celebrating [[Unionism in Ireland|unionist]] students in [[Trinity College Dublin]] raised the flags of [[Allies of World War II|the victorious Allies]] over the college; when onlookers in [[College Green, Dublin|College Green]] began jeering, some took down the flag of [[Irish neutrality during World War II|neutral Ireland]], set fire to it and tossed it away, provoking a small riot.<ref name="Dwyer1988">{{cite book|last=Dwyer|first=T. Ryle|title=Strained relations: Ireland at peace and the USA at war, 1941–45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DvDSW6Mn0OcC&pg=PA163|access-date=28 March 2011|year=1988|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7171-1580-8|page=163}}</ref><ref name="McDowellWebb2004">{{cite book|last1=McDowell|first1=Robert Brendan|last2=Webb|first2=David Allardice|title=Trinity College Dublin, 1592–1952: an academic history|date=1 January 2004|publisher=Trinity College Dublin Press, in association with Environmental Publications|isbn=978-1-871408-26-3|page=464}}<!--|access-date=28 March 2011--></ref> In response, [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] students from [[University College Dublin]], including future [[Taoiseach]] [[Charles Haughey]], burned the [[Union Flag|British flag]] in [[Grafton Street]].<ref name="Dwyer1988"/> The [[Provost of Trinity College, Dublin|Provost of Trinity College]] apologised for the incident, which was not reported in Irish newspapers owing to wartime censorship.<ref name="Dwyer1988"/>

===Israel===
[[File:Israeli flag burned by Neturei Karta.jpg|thumb|A non-standard [[flag of Israel]] being burned by the ultra-Orthodox [[Neturei Karta]] sect]]
In 2007, six teenagers in the South [[Tel Aviv]] suburb of [[Bat Yam]] were arrested directly for burning an Israeli flag. This incident was considered serious by the police and others since the youths were suspected in other acts of vandalism and claimed to be [[Satanism|Satanists]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stoil |first=Rebecca Anna |date=30 January 2007 |title='Satanist' teens allegedly burn flag |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel/satanist-teens-allegedly-burn-flag |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211231659/https://www.jpost.com/israel/satanist-teens-allegedly-burn-flag |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]]}}</ref>

In 2022, Israel passed a new amendment, meaning those convicted of deliberately burning an Israeli flag face up to two years in prison.<ref>[https://www.nevo.co.il/law_html/law01/067_001.htm#Seif6 the law itself] on nevo(in hebrew) written in 1949 last updated in 2016</ref>

===Italy===
In Italy, the desecration of any Italian or foreign nation's national flag (''vilipendio alla bandiera'') is prohibited by law (Article 292 of the [[Italian government|Italian Penal Code]]) and punished with fines (between {{formatnum:1000}} and {{formatnum:10000}} [[euro]]s) for verbal desecration and with imprisonment (up to two years) for physical damage or destruction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://officeadvice.it/codice-penale/articolo-292/|title=Art. 292 codice penale – Vilipendio o danneggiamento alla bandiera o ad altro emblema dello Stato|publisher=officeadvice.it}}</ref>

===Jamaica===
Flag desecration is considered legal in Jamaica, especially because it is part of flag protocol to dispose of it when it is torn.

A German advert depicted the flag being torched in a coffee shop.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/jlp-concerned-about-burning-of-flag-in-german-advertisement | title=JLP Concerned About Burning of Flag in German Advertisement }}</ref>

===Japan===
[[File:2012 Anti-Japan demonstrations4.jpg|thumb|Japanese flag being burned by protestors in front of the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong]]
In Japan, under Chapter 4, Article 92 of the [[Criminal Code of Japan|Criminal Code]], the desecration of a recognized foreign nation's national flag and symbol to dishonour that particular nation is illegal and results in fine or penal labour, but [[shinkokuzai|only on complaint]] by the foreign government.

In May 1958, the [[flag of China|flag of the People's Republic of China]], the ''Wǔ Xīng Hóngqí'', at a postage stamp convention was pulled down and damaged, but as Japan did not recognize the PRC at the time, the law was not applied. In February 2011, [[uyoku dantai|Japanese ultra-rightists]] held a protest over the [[Kuril Islands dispute]] outside of the Russian embassy in Tokyo, during which they dragged a [[flag of Russia|Russian flag]] on the ground; Russian foreign minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] stated that his ministry had asked the Japanese government to launch a criminal case over the incident.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

However, the desecration of the [[flag of Japan|Japanese flag]], the ''Hinomaru'', has never been a crime. Absent from such law, the act of desecration is implicitly protected by Article 21 covering [[freedom of speech]] in the [[Constitution of Japan]].

On 26 October 1987, an Okinawan supermarket owner burned the ''Hinomaru'', before the start of the [[National Sports Festival of Japan]].<ref name=wundunn1995>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E6D71439F932A25752C1A963958260 |title=Yomitan Journal: A Pacifist Landlord Makes War on Okinawa Bases |work=The New York Times |author=Wundunn, Sheryl |date=11 November 1995 |accessdate=11 March 2008}}</ref> The flag burner, Shōichi Chibana, burned the national flag not only to show opposition to atrocities committed by the wartime Japanese army and the continued Japanese-requested presence of U.S. forces, but also to prevent it from being displayed in public.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smits, Gregory |url=http://www.east-asian-history.net/Ryukyu/History/Okinawa/Postwar/index.htm |title=Okinawa in Postwar Japanese Politics and the Economy |accessdate=28 October 2008 |year=2000 |publisher=Penn State University |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530211516/http://www.east-asian-history.net/Ryukyu/History/Okinawa/Postwar/index.htm |archivedate=30 May 2013 }}</ref> Other incidents in Okinawa included the flag being torn down during school ceremonies and students refusing to honor the flag as it was being raised to the sounds of "[[Kimigayo]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=Befu|first=Harumi|title=Hegemony of Homogeneity: An Anthropological Analysis of "Nihonjinron"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qzxyAAAAMAAJ|year=2001|publisher=Trans Pacific Press|isbn=978-1-876843-05-2|pages=92–95}}</ref>

In late January 2021, the ruling [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] announced its intention to pass a law in the Diet to prohibit the desecration of the ''Hinomaru''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=日本の国旗損壊 刑法改正し処罰規定検討 自民 下村政調会長|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210126/k10012834121000.html|access-date=2021-01-28|website=NHK NEWS WEB|language=ja |author1=日本放送協会 }}</ref>

On April 13, 2022, Japan made the desecration of foreign flags legal.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

=== Kazakhstan ===
In Kazakhstan, under Chapter 14, Article 317 of the Criminal Code, an individual involved in flag desecration (including any state symbol) could face up to a fine of 3,000 [[monthly calculation index]] (10,350,000 tenge as of 2023). Additionally, they could be sentenced to up to two years of house arrest or imprisonment and may also be required to perform up to 900 hours of community service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-20 |title=Мемлекеттік Туды қорлағандар 10 млн теңге айыппұл төлейді |url=https://inbusiness.kz/kz/last/memlekettik-tudy-korlagandar-10-mln-tenge-ajyppul-tolejdi |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=inbusiness.kz |language=kk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Қазақстан Республикасының Қылмыстық кодексi |url=https://adilet.zan.kz/kaz/docs/K1400000226 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=adilet.zan.kz}}</ref>

===Lithuania===
The desecration of the national flag, coat of arms or anthem of Lithuania results in an arrest or up to 2 years of imprisonment, or other fines, as the punishment or penalty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 January 2003 |title=Valstybės simbolių išniekinimas |trans-title=Desecration of state symbols |url=https://www.infolex.lt/ta/66150:str127# |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=Infolex |language=lt}}</ref>

===Malaysia===
While Malaysia does not have specific legislation regarding flag desecration, legal action can be taken against those who show disrespect towards the national flag ''[[Jalur Gemilang]]'' under the Penal Code (Act 574), Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) and the Emblems & Names (Prevention of Control of Improper Use) 1963 (Act 193).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mallow|first1=Muzaffar|title=Treat Jalur Gemilang with respect|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2017/08/31/treat-jalur-gemilang-with-respect/|access-date=18 May 2018|newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|date=31 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Bu Bhag|title=The controversy over flag burning|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/law-for-everyone/2017/11/02/the-controversy-over-flag-burning-countries-differ-on-whether-there-should-be-laws-against-desecrati/|access-date=18 May 2018|newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|date=2 Nov 2017}}</ref> In October 2013, the Law Minister [[Nancy Shukri]] announced that the Government would be removing the proposed Clause 5 amendment to the Penal Code, which proposed fining or jailing anyone charged with desecrating the Jalur Gemilang or a foreign flag for a term of between five and fifteen years. She clarified that provisions for safeguarding the national flag would be added under the proposed National Harmony Act.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Azhar|first1=Aylaa|last2=Vinod|first2=G.|title=Clauses on flag and vandalism withdrawn|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/22/clause-on-flag-and-vandalism-omitted/|access-date=18 May 2018|work=[[Free Malaysia Today]]|date=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228173212/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/22/clause-on-flag-and-vandalism-omitted/|archive-date=28 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nine Australian men, the 'Budgie Nine', were arrested after celebrating the [[2016 Malaysian Grand Prix]] by stripping to their '[[budgie smuggler]]' swimming trunks, decorated with the Malaysian flag.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stripping at Malaysian Grand Prix: Nine Australians arrested|newspaper=[[BBC News online]]|date=3 October 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37539728}}</ref> After three days in custody they were charged with public nuisance and released. The briefs had been made in Australia, not Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Australian 'Budgie Nine' F1 strippers freed by Malaysia court|newspaper=[[BBC News online]]|date=6 October 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37570963}}</ref>

In 2013, a group of [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese Malaysian]] students in [[Taiwan]], were photographed with an upside-down national flag, and claimed the action was "to express their dissatisfaction of [[2013 Malaysian general election|the just-concluded general election]] that they alleged was carried out in an undemocratic way".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2013/05/09/malaysians-abroad-claim-no-disrespect-to-flag-or-country/|title=Malaysians abroad claim no disrespect to flag or country|access-date=13 August 2019|date=9 May 2013|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/rencana/utama/i-ubah-ini-kalilah-i-yang-melukakan-1.505307|title=UBAH! INI KALILAH' YANG MELUKAKAN|access-date=13 August 2019|date=21 July 2013|work=[[Utusan Malaysia]] |author1=Aanuarzulkifli }}</ref> In another incident, a [[Chinese Malaysian]] businessman Lee Kim Yew was reported to have dishonoring the national flag by changing its white stripes to black in an online post. The image, which has since been removed, was uploaded along with a post by Lee highlighting his recent blog entry on the inclusion of [[Jawi script]] lessons in [[Malaysian Malay|Malay]]-language textbooks for Year 4 students. His action drew widespread online criticism and Lee's Facebook account appeared to have been deactivated later on.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/08/09/perak-bersatu-calls-to-strip-country-heights-founder-of-tan-sri-title-for-c/1779188|title=Perak Bersatu calls to strip Country Heights founder of 'Tan Sri' title for changing national flag colours|access-date=13 August 2019|author=John Bunyan|date=9 Aug 2019|publisher=[[Malay Mail]]}}</ref>

===Mexico===
The use of the National Symbols (Coat of Arms, Anthem, and National Flag) in Mexico is protected by law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LEBHN.pdf|title=Ley sobre el Escudo, la Bandera y el Himno Nacionales|trans-title=Law on the National Coat of Arms, Flag and Anthem|date=8 February 1984|access-date=30 August 2024|language=es}}</ref> In Mexico, the desecration of the national flag and coat of arms is a crime punishable by six months to four years in prison, or a fine of 50 to 3,000 [[mexican pesos|pesos]] (between 2 and 152 USD), or both sanctions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/CPF.pdf|title=Código Penal Federal|trans-title=Federal Penal Code|date=14 August 1931|access-date=30 August 2024}}</ref> Although punishment is not sought often and are usually not harsh, there are a few instances; for example, in 2008 a federal judge convicted an individual for 'desecrating the flag' in a poem. The ministry that oversees the use of national symbols requested four years in jail, but the judge only issued a small fine and a public warning.<ref name=elu>{{cite news |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/159308.html |title=Juez da 'escarmiento' por ofensa a Bandera |trans-title=Judge issues 'slap' for Flag offense |last=Avilés |first=Carlos |newspaper=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]] |language=es |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=10 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113510/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/159308.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Morocco===
In Morocco, flag desecration is a crime punishable by variable fine.

===Nepal===
Burning the national flag is illegal in Nepal. The Criminal Code has a provision of a three-year jail sentence or a [[Nepalese rupee|Rs]] 30,000 (about $300) fine or both if one is found disrespecting or damaging the national anthem or the national flag.

===Netherlands===
Flag desecration is not a crime according to the Dutch law.

===New Zealand===
In New Zealand, under the [[Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act|Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981]] it is illegal to destroy the [[flag of New Zealand|New Zealand flag]] with the intent of dishonouring it. In 2003, Paul Hopkinson, a [[Wellington]] schoolteacher, burned the national flag of New Zealand as part of a protest in Parliament grounds at the New Zealand Government's hosting of the [[Prime Minister of Australia]], against the background of [[Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq|Australia's support of the United States in the Iraq War]]. Hopkinson was initially convicted under Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981 of destroying a New Zealand flag with intent to dishonour it, but appealed his conviction. On appeal, his conviction was overturned on the grounds that the law had to be read consistently with the right to freedom of expression under the [[New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990|Bill of Rights]]. This meant that his actions were not unlawful because the word dishonour in the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act had many shades of meaning, and when the least restrictive meaning of that word was adopted Hopkinson's actions did not meet that standard. This somewhat unusual result was due in part to the fact that the Bill of Rights does not overrule other laws (''[[Hopkinson v Police]]'').<ref>{{cite news|title=Flag burner in test case|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/content/175299/2483318/article.html|access-date=18 May 2018|publisher=Fair Go, [[Television New Zealand]]|date=14 March 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pollock|first1=Keryn|title=Paul Hopkinson burning the New Zealand flag, 2004|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/33993/paul-hopkinson-burning-the-new-zealand-flag-2004|publisher=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Braddock|first1=John|title=New Zealand High Court overturns conviction for flag burning|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2004/08/newz-a26.html|website=[[World Socialist Website]]|date=26 August 2004 |access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2007, activist Valerie Morse had burned the New Zealand flag during an [[ANZAC Day]] dawn service in [[Wellington]]. She was fined NZ$500 by the Wellington District Court and her conviction was upheld by the High Court and the Court of Appeal. After Morse's lawyers appealed the conviction on the grounds that she was being punished for expressing ideas, the [[New Zealand Supreme Court]] ruled in 2011 that the previous rulings had misinterpreted the meaning of "offensive behavior" in the Summary Offences Act.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flag burning conviction quashed|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10723795|access-date=18 May 2018|agency=[[New Zealand Press Association]]|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Stuff.co.nz_4971083">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4971083/Court-throws-out-flag-burning-charge |title=Court throws out flag burning charge |date=6 May 2011 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref>

===Nigeria===
Any person who flies or exhibits the National Flag in a defaced or bad condition shall be guilty of an offence. A fine of {{currency|100.00|NGN}} and in the case of a continuing offence to a fine of {{currency|10.00|NGN}} for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after the day on which such person is first convicted.<ref name=Mudi>{{cite news |last=Mudi|first=Johannes |date=18 October 2020|title=Shooting at the Nigerian Flag; What is the Law? |url=https://mudijohannes.medium.com/shooting-at-the-nigerian-flag-what-is-the-law-by-mudi-johannes-obukohwo-mudijohannes-8760b278157a#:~:text=It%20is%20thus%20evident%20that,to%20the%20Nigerian%20Flag%20treasonable|work=Medium}}</ref><ref name=LawNigeria>{{cite news |last=LawNigeria|first=Law |date=26 April 2018 |title=Flags and Coat of Arms Act Cap F30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 |url= https://laws.lawnigeria.com/2018/04/26/index-lfn-laws-of-the-federation-of-nigeria/|work=Team LawNigeria.com}}</ref><ref name=Dirisu/>

===North Macedonia===
The desecration of the national flag, coat of arms or anthem and international flags, coat of arms or anthems is banned under Articles 178 and 181 in the Criminal Code of North Macedonia.<ref>{{cite web| title = Criminal Code of North Macedonia | url = https://vlada.mk/sites/default/files/dokumenti/zakoni/criminal_code.pdf | website = www.vlada.mk}}</ref>

It is questionable if these laws are enforced as there have been many instances where the national and foreign flags were set on fire.

===Norway===
Desecration of foreign countries' flags or national coats of arms was previously banned according to the General Civil Penal Code §95. The ban had, however, rarely been practiced, and was eventually lifted in 2008.

Comedian [[Otto Jespersen (comedian)|Otto Jespersen]] burned a U.S. flag during a satirical TV show in 2003.
During the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]], Norwegian flags were burned in demonstrations in various Muslim countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tully |first=Andrew |date=7 February 2006 |title=U.S.: Muhammad Cartoon Controversy Having Little Impact In U.S. |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1065532.html |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref>

===Pakistan===
Pakistan's flag comes under the strict protection of various constitutional clauses.{{failed verification|date=September 2020||reason=unable to verify at https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Pakistan_2015.pdf?lang=en}} However, the statutes governing the topic consist only of Pakistan Flag Protocols and are unclear as with regards to legal status of the offender and the punishment under the [[Pakistan Penal Code]].

===Panama===
On 9 January 1964, a dispute broke out between Panamanian students and Americans living in the [[Panama Canal Zone]] over the right of the [[flag of Panama]] to be raised next to the [[flag of the United States]], as the Canal Zone was then a [[disputed territory]] between the two nations. During the scuffle a Panamanian flag carried by Panamanian students was torn. This sparked four days of riots that ended with 22 Panamanians and four Americans dead and with Panama breaking diplomatic relations with the United States. This event is considered very important in the decision to negotiate and sign the [[Torrijos-Carter Treaties]], by whose terms the [[Panama Canal]] administration was handed over to the Panamanian Government at the end of 1999. 9 January is known as [[Martyrs' Day (Panama)|Martyrs' Day]] and is commemorated in Panama as a day of mourning.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

===Peru===
The precise law in Peru is unclear, but such acts are clearly capable of causing outrage. In 2008, the dancer, model and actress [[Leysi Suárez]] appeared naked photographed using [[flag of Peru|Peru's flag]] as a saddle while mounted on a horse. The country's defence minister said she would face charges that could put her in jail for up to four years for offending patriotic symbols".<ref>{{cite news|title=Peru wants jail for nude woman who used flag as saddle
|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/oukoe-uk-peru-model-flag-idUKN2334526820080725|work=Reuters |location=Lima|date=24 July 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Las polémicas fotos de Leysi Suárez causan revuelo|trans-title=Controversial Leysi Suárez's pictures cause commotion|journal=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|url=http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononline/HTML/2008-07-21/las-polemicas-fotos-leysi-suarez-causan-revuelo.html|date=21 July 2008}}</ref> However, the case was closed in 2010.<ref>{{cite journal|trans-title=The case against Leysi Suárez for posing node over the flag is being asked to be closed|title=Piden archivar proceso a Leysi Suárez por posar desnuda sobre bandera|journal=[[Radio Programas del Perú|RPP]]|url=http://www.rpp.com.pe/2010-10-25-piden-archivar-proceso-a-leysi-suarez-por-posar-desnuda-sobre-bandera-noticia_305611.html|date=25 October 2010|language=es}}</ref>

===Philippines===
Section 34a of the 1998 [[flag of the Philippines|Flag and Heraldic Code]] of the Philippines declares that it is a prohibited act "to mutilate, deface, defile, trample on or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon [[Flag of the Philippines|the flag]] or over its surface;"<ref name="Republic Act No. 8491">[http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno8491.html Republic Act No. 8491], the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, February 12, 1998, Chan Robles Law Library.</ref>

Section 50 meanwhile declares, "Any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand [[Philippine peso|pesos]] (₱5,000.00) not more than twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, That in case the violation is committed by a [[juridical person]], its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable."<ref name="Republic Act No. 8491"/>

Flag burning is only permitted, in the case of proper disposal of the flag.<ref>{{cite web |last=Solano |first=Joshua |date=17 June 2022 |title=Why some Philippine flags need to be burned |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1932267/cebu/feature/why-some-philippine-flags-need-to-be-burned |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[SunStar]]}}</ref>

A crucial point of etiquette for the Philippine flag is that flying it upside-down (i.e., red field over blue), or vertically hanging it with the red to the viewer's left, makes it the national [[War flag|war standard]]. Outside of an official [[Declaration of war|state of war]], Filipinos consider this a major ''faux-pas'' or a highly offensive act: several instances of this incorrect display (usually by foreigners) have attracted online backlash, prompting official apologies.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=28 September 2010 |title=U.S. apologizes for flying Philippine flag upside down |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-flag-idUSTRE68Q4EE20100927 |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Jun 2016 |title=Facebook apologises for 'declaring war' in the Philippines with upside-down flag |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/facebook-apologises-for-declaring-war-in-the-philippines-with-upside-down-flag |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

===Poland===
Polish Criminal Code (1997) declares:

Article 137. § 1. "Whoever publicly insults, destroys, damages or removes an emblem, banner, standard, flag, ensign or other symbol of the State shall be subject to a fine, the penalty of restriction of liberty or the penalty of deprivation of liberty for up to one year." § 2. "The same punishment shall be imposed on anyone, who on the territory of the Republic of Poland publicly insults, destroys, damages or removes an emblem, banner, standard, flag, ensign or other symbol of another State, publicly displayed by a mission of this State or upon an order of a Polish authority." Article 138. § 1. "The provisions of Articles 136 and 137 § 2 shall apply, when the foreign country ensures reciprocity."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7354/file/Poland_CC_1997_en.pdf |title=The Polish Penal Code of 6 June 1997 |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404193146/https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7354/file/Poland_CC_1997_en.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Portugal===
Currently, according to article 332 of the [[Penal Code of Portugal|Penal Code]],<ref>República Portuguesa, [http://www.legix.pt/docs/CP.pdf Código Penal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219053609/http://www.legix.pt/docs/CP.pdf |date=19 February 2008 }}</ref> "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the Republic, the Flag or the National Anthem, the coats of arms or the symbols of Portuguese sovereignty, or fails to show the respect they are entitled to, shall be punished with up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 240 days". In the case of the regional symbols, the person shall be punished with up to one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days (fines are calculated based on the defendant's income).

The Portuguese Penal Code (article 323) also forbids the desecration of foreign symbols: "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the official flag or other symbol of sovereignty of a foreign State or of an international organization of which Portugal is a member shall be punished with up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days." This article applies under two conditions (article 324): that Portugal maintains diplomatic relations with the insulted country, and that there is reciprocity (i.e., that the insulted country would also punish any insult against Portuguese symbols of sovereignty, should they occur there).

===Romania===
The Romanian Criminal Code<ref>[http://anp.gov.ro/documents/10180/57727/Codul+Penal+al+Rom%C3%A2niei.pdf/7fd6b4fc-a94e-4bab-bf79-14215deecf08 The Romanian Penal Code] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008184909/http://anp.gov.ro/documents/10180/57727/Codul+Penal+al+Rom%C3%A2niei.pdf/7fd6b4fc-a94e-4bab-bf79-14215deecf08 |date=8 October 2016 }} (2014)</ref> no longer prohibits flag desecration (as it was the case with the previous criminal code<ref>[http://legeaz.net/cod-penal-actualizat-2011/art-236-cpen Article 236 of the previous Romanian Penal Code] (2008)</ref>). Several laws attempting to reinstate punishments for manifestations which express contempt for the Romanian symbols (according to the constitution, these are the flag, national day, anthem and coat-of-arms) have not been approved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlad |first=Ioana |date=18 November 2011 |title=Distrugerea drapelului national ar putea fi pedepsita cu 3 ani de inchisoare. Esti de acord? |trans-title=Destruction of the national flag could be punished with 3 years in prison. Do you agree? |url=https://www.avocatnet.ro/articol_26831/Distrugerea-drapelului-national-ar-putea-fi-pedepsita-cu-3-ani-de-inchisoare-Esti-de-acord.html |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=avocatnet.ro |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Novaceanu |first=Alina |date=10 October 2015 |title=Proiect de lege: Pedepse cu închisoarea pentru ofensa adusă însemnelor naţionale |trans-title=Bill: Imprisonment for insulting national symbols |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/proiect-de-lege-pedepse-cu-inchisoarea-pentru-ofensa-adusa-insemnelor-nationale-14820612 |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[Mediafax]] |language=ro}}</ref>

During the [[Romanian Revolution]] of 1989, the Communist era flag was flown with [[History of the flags of Romania#Flag of the Romanian Revolution of 1989|the coat of arms cut out]], leaving a hole.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}

===Russia===
In February 2011, [[uyoku dantai|Japanese ultra-rightists]] held a protest over the [[Kuril Islands dispute]] outside of the Russian embassy in Tokyo, during which they dragged a [[flag of Russia|Russian flag]] on the ground; Russian foreign minister [[Sergei Lavrov]] stated that his ministry had asked the Japanese government to launch a criminal case over the incident.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In 2013, the U.S. rock band [[Bloodhound Gang]] desecrated a Russian flag during a concert in Ukraine. In response, Vladimir Markin of the [[Investigative Committee of Russia]] said that his department was prepared to file criminal charges if prosecutors thought they had a case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2013/08/02/away1/ |title=Культура: Музыка: Bloodhound Gang запретили выступать на фестивале KUBANA |publisher=Lenta.ru |access-date=April 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23560474 |title=BBC News – Russia bans US rockers Bloodhound Gang over flag stunt |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=August 3, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2014}}</ref>

In 2025, a Russian [[Internet stream|streamer]], Stepan Soffy, was detained after desecrating the Russian flag over an online donation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Art |first=Pop Culture & |date=2025-06-23 |title=Russian streamer Stepan Scoffy detained after desecrating flag for $12 donation |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2552275/russian-streamer-stepan-scoffy-detained-after-desecrating-flag-for-12-donation |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Viral Video: 28-Year-Old Russian Streamer Detained After 'Disrespecting Russian Flag With Putin's Face' For $12 Donation |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/viral-video-28-year-old-russian-streamer-detained-after-disrespecting-russian-flag-with-putins-face-for-12-donation |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>

National flag burning is a crime in Russia, resulting in up to four years of imprisonment as punishment.<ref>https://www.imolin.org/doc/amlid/Russian_Federation_Criminal_Code.pdf https://www.imolin.org/doc/amlid/Russian_Federation_Criminal_Code.pdf</ref>

===Samoa===
Those who deface or wilfully insult the [[flag of Samoa]] can be imprisoned for up to six months.

===Saudi Arabia===
The [[flag of Saudi Arabia]] bears the ''[[shahada]]'' ([[Islamic]] declaration of faith). Because the ''shahada'' is considered holy, even the slightest disrespect amounts to not only desecration but [[blasphemy]]. This has led to several incidents of controversy. In 1994, [[McDonald's]] printed carry-out bags bearing the flags of all nations participating in the [[FIFA World Cup]] (with a green flag with [[Coat of Arms of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia's coat of arms]] superimposed, rather than the Saudi flag), while [[Coca-Cola]] did the same on cans of soda. Because of Saudi Arabian objections, the companies stopped producing those items.<ref>Paul A. Herbig, Handbook of Cross-Cultural Marketing, p. 20</ref> Also during the FIFA World Cup, in 2002, Saudi Arabian officials protested against printing the flag on a football on the belief that kicking the creed with the foot was unacceptable.

Because of the shahada, even flying this flag at [[half-mast]] is considered desecration in Saudi Arabia.<ref name="Goldstein">{{cite book|last=Goldstein|first=Robert Justin|title=Burning the Flag: The Great 1989–1990 American Flag Desecration Controversy|publisher=Kent State University Press|year=2006|isbn=978-0-87338-598-5|page=293}}</ref> This also applies to the flags of [[Flag of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] and [[Flag of Somaliland|Somaliland]] which also bear the shahada, and Iraq's which bears the takbir.

===Serbia===
In Serbia, flag desecration is illegal.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

===Singapore===
In Singapore, flag desecration is illegal under the statuory of National Symbols Act 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=National Symbols Act 2022 - Singapore Statutes Online |url=https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Acts-Supp/29-2022/Published/20221005?DocDate=20221005 |website=sso.agc.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref> and National Symbols Regulations 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Flag |url=https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/education/resources/national-symbols/national-flag |website=www.nhb.gov.sg |access-date=8 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Under current constitution, using the national symbol (such as Presidential symbols, state crests, national flag, public seals and national flowers) in a derogatory manner (including defacing, dirtying and obstructing some symbols like stars and crescents) also amounts to flag descration,<ref>{{cite web |last1=ZachariahCorrespondent |first1=Natasha Ann |title=Rules on use of national flag to ease on Aug 1, while national symbols will have stronger safeguards |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rules-on-use-of-national-symbols-to-ease-on-aug-1-stronger-safeguards-in-place |website=The Straits Times |language=en |date=31 July 2023}}</ref> which enforces a stop-work order or a maximum penalty of S$30,000 or a six-month imprisonment or both (previously S$1,000).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Correspondent |first1=Goh Yan HanPolitical |title=National flag may be displayed more often; penalty for misuse increased to $30k |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/national-flag-may-be-displayed-more-often-max-penalty-for-misuse-increased-to-30k |website=The Straits Times |access-date=8 June 2024 |language=en |date=2 August 2022}}</ref>

===South Africa===
During the [[apartheid]] era, protesters would burn [[Flag of South Africa (1928–1994)|the former South African flag]] in protest against the [[apartheid]] policies of the South African government. In one example, Americans opposed to apartheid burned the old South African flag at an anti-apartheid protest in the U.S. state of Massachusetts during the mid-1980s.<ref>{{cite web|first=Craig|last=Jungwirth|url=http://tech.mit.edu/V105/N15/rally.15n.html|title=Police arrest nine in protest march|publisher=The Tech|date=5 April 1985|access-date=10 May 2016|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512194917/http://tech.mit.edu/V105/N15/rally.15n.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> South Africans opposed to minority rule also burned the (now former) South African flag,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/african-national-congress-supporters-set-a-south-african-news-photo/167948014#african-national-congress-supporters-set-a-south-african-flag-on-fire-picture-id167948014|title=African National Congress (ANC) supporters set a South African flag on fire 14 April 1993 during a commemoration service for South African Communist Party (SACP) chief Chris Hani|date=3 May 2013 }}</ref> viewing it as a symbol of the country's government at the time. Under the [[South African Constitution of 1983|1983 constitution]] desecration of the flag was a criminal offense punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.<ref name="lloc">{{cite report |date=June 2005 |title=Comparative Summary: Flag Desecration Under the Laws of Selected Foreign Nations |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/llglrd/2019670010/2019670010.pdf |publisher=Law Library of Congress |access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref>

In post-apartheid South Africa there is no law against flag desecration yet.<ref name="lloc" /> The current South African flag designed and adopted in 1994 has been the subject of desecration. In early 1994, white supremacists from the "[[Afrikaner Volksfront]]" organization burned the new South African flag in [[Bloemfontein]] in protest against the country's pending democratization.<ref name=firstraising>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sed-dqbZgkc|title=Raising of the New South African Flag|last=Antonio Coppola|date=24 May 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>

===South Korea===
The South Korean ''Criminal Act'' punishes flag desecration, of both domestic and foreign, in various ways:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://law.go.kr/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=153923&chrClsCd=010203&urlMode=engLsInfoR&viewCls=engLsInfoR#0000 |title=Criminal Act |access-date=2017-01-03 |work=South Korean Laws |date=14 May 2014}}</ref>

*Article 105 imposes up to five years in prison, [[disfranchisement]] of up to ten years, or a fine up to seven million [[South Korean won]] for damaging, removing, or staining a South Korean [[flag of South Korea|flag]] or [[Emblem of South Korea|emblem]] with intent to insult the South Korean state. Article 5 makes this crime punishable, even if done by aliens outside South Korea.
*Article 106 imposes up to one year in prison, disfranchisement of up to five years, or a fine up to two million South Korean won for [[defamation|defaming]] a South Korean flag or emblem with intent to insult the South Korean state. Article 5 makes this crime punishable, even if done by aliens outside South Korea.
*Article 109 imposes up to two years in prison or a fine up to three million South Korean won for damaging, removing, or staining a foreign flag or emblem with intent to insult a foreign country. Article 110 forbids [[Antragsdelikt|prosecution]] without foreign governmental complaint.
The desecration of the national flag in South Korea by the country's own citizens is rare when compared to analogous instances in other countries as the flag is viewed more along the lines of an [[ethnic flag]] rather than merely just the flag of a state.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

===Soviet Union===
The flag of the [[Soviet Union]] was burned many times by protestors against its government's policies, for instance in Brazil by those protesting the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia]] of 1968,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q7QFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qjEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7297,6481415&dq=burn+soviet+flag Protest against Czech invasions mounts in capitals of the world], [[UPI]], 22 August 1968</ref> and in New York City in 1985 by protesters against the [[Soviet–Afghan War]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/22/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-afghans-protest-soviet-presence.html Afghans Protest Soviet Presence], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 22 March 1985</ref> The Soviet flag was burned or otherwise desecrated during the [[Euromaidan]] in [[Ukraine]].

===Spain===
The [[Spanish Penal Code]] punishes insulting the [[flag of Spain]] and the [[flags of the autonomous communities of Spain]] with a fine that can range from 420 to 144,000 euros.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boe.es/eli/es/lo/1995/11/23/10/con|title=Ley Orgánica 10/1995, de 23 de noviembre, del Código Penal|website=[[Boletín Oficial del Estado]]|pages=33987–34058 |access-date=10 September 2024|language=es}}</ref> However, flag burning is often seen in nationalist demonstrations.<ref name="Beswick">{{cite news |last1=Beswick |first1=Emma |title=The EU countries that will punish you for disrespecting their flags |url=https://www.euronews.com/2017/11/09/which-country-has-the-harshest-punishments-for-disrespecting-flags-and-national |access-date=23 January 2023 |work=euronews |date=9 November 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

===Sweden===
In Swedish law, there is no explicit prohibition against burning the flag of any country.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Flag burning - punishable or not?" |url=https://lawline.se/answers/flaggbranning-straffbart-eller-ej |date=2015-08-14 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Lawline |language=sv-se}}</ref> The desecration of the national flag was decriminalized in 1971. However, publicly showing a Swedish flag modified with added marks, characters or symbols is forbidden according flag law number 1982:269, and may be punishable under the provisions regarding disorderly conduct ("förargelseväckande beteende") under the chapter 16 § 16 of the criminal code.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/motion/kriminalisering-av-flaggbranning_GS02Ju233 | title=Kriminalisering av flaggbränning Motion 2004/05:Ju233 av Torsten Lindström (Kd) - Riksdagen |language=sv-se }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Law (1982:269) on the Swedish Flag {{!}} Lagen.nu |url=https://lagen.nu/1982:269 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=lagen.nu |language=sv-se}}</ref>

In 1997 a teenager who identified as a [[White power skinhead|skinhead]] was fined 500[[Swedish krona|kr]] for waving a large, modified Swedish flag from the top of a hill during an event celebrating Sweden's [[National Day of Sweden|National Day]]. The motifs that had been added to the flag in question were those of a [[Black Sun (symbol)|sun wheel]], an axe, a viking warrior's head in profile and the word ''"Valhalla"''. The royal family being present, the event being part of the city of [[Lycksele]]'s 50 year jubilee, and the act of standing on the hill to increase the number of people who could see the flag, were all seen as contributing factors in the sentence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lagen.nu/dom/rh/1997:24 | title=RH 1997:24 &#124; lagen.nu |language=sv-se}}</ref>

===Switzerland===
The destruction, removal, or desecration of national emblems installed by a public authority (i.e., the [[Swiss flag]], the [[Swiss coat of arms]], the [[Swiss cantons|cantonal]] or [[municipalities of Switzerland|municipal]] flags and coats of arms) results in a monetary penalty or a punishment of up to three years of imprisonment according to the Swiss federal penal code.<ref>{{cite Swiss law|sr= 311.0 |link= 311_0|art= 270 |en= Swiss Penal Code}}</ref> The destruction or desecration of privately owned flags or coats of arms is legal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-03 |title=Berner SVP-Politiker will Schweizer Fahne schützen |url=https://www.20min.ch/story/berner-svp-politiker-will-schweizer-fahne-schuetzen-466981902415 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=20 Minuten |language=de}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
Under Articles 118 and 160 of the Criminal Law of the Republic of China (Taiwan), it is a criminal offence to insult either the national flag or the national emblem of any country. If it is a national flag or emblem of a foreign country being insulted, the name of the offence would be 'obstructing state diplomacy'; if it is the ones of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the offence would be 'disturbing the order'. Besides, insulting or damaging the portrait of Sun Yat-sen is also punishable as 'disturbing the order'. The penalty can be either incarceration for up to one year, or a fine of $9,000 NTD or less.<ref>[https://law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawSingle.aspx?pcode=C0000001&flno=160 Laws and Regulations Database of the Republic of China]</ref><ref>[https://law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawSingle.aspx?pcode=C0000001&flno=118 Laws and Regulations Database of the Republic of China]</ref>

===Thailand===
In October 2018, Prime Minister [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]] ordered the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand)|Foreign Ministry]] to investigate fashion footwear in Paris that incorporates the colours of the [[Flag of Thailand|Thai national flag]]. Photos of the shoes, shown on the ''[[Vogue Paris]]'' Facebook page taken during [[Paris Fashion Week]], outraged Thai social media users, some of whom demanded apologies and jail sentences for the perpetrators. As was pointed out in the Bangkok daily, ''[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]'', "The combination of the Thai flag and human feet is a [[Culture of Thailand#Customs|contentious cultural cocktail]] for Thais."

The designers are immune from prosecution as the shoes were made and displayed outside Thailand. Were the offence committed in Thailand, those responsible could face a 2,000 baht fine or a year in jail.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Phuong-Khanh |date=Nov 1998 |title=Flag Desecration Under the Laws of Selected Foreign Nations |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/llglrd/2019671031/2019671031.pdf |access-date=April 15, 2025 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>

A spokesman at the Thai National Flag Museum<ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.thaiflag.org/ |website=Thai National Flag Museum |access-date=17 October 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902222751/http://www.thaiflag.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> commented that no one has a copyright on the flag's colours or the order in which they are presented.<ref>{{cite news |title=Parisian footwear with Thai flag colours triggers netizen outrage |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30356551 |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=The Nation |date=16 October 2018 |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016144149/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30356551 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Turkey===
[[File:Turkish flag being burned Yerevan 2013.jpg|thumb|The Turkish flag being burnt in [[Freedom Square, Yerevan]]]]
Under the 1983 Turkish flag law, burning the flag of any nation in the world (including Turkey itself) is strictly forbidden, resulting in a prison sentence of three years. Displaying or pulling a torn or discolored flag to flagpole is also illegal. Taking down the flag is a crime, which results in a prison sentence of 18 years.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

===Ukraine===
In Ukraine, the desecration of national symbols, including the national flag, is a crime, resulting in up to one year of imprisonment as punishment.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

===United Kingdom===
[[File:Irish flag on bonfire.JPG|thumb|right|upright|[[Ulster loyalism|Ulster loyalists]] prepare to burn the [[Flag of Ireland|Irish flag]] on a bonfire on the eve of [[The Twelfth]] in [[Belfast]].]]
The [[English law|law]] of [[England and Wales]] and the [[Scots law|law]] of [[Scotland]] have no specific concept of "flag desecration".<ref>{{Cite news|last=McNamee|first=Michael Sheils|date=2019-08-20|title=Is it possible to disrespect the flag?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-49263379|access-date=2020-07-05}}</ref> Flag desecration is not illegal in the United Kingdom.

In May 1998, in a protest by 2,000 former prisoners of war, a [[Burma Railway veteran]] torched the [[Rising Sun banner]] before both [[Emperor Akihito]] and [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]]. Police were persuaded by the crowd not to arrest him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macaskill |first=Jamie |date=27 May 1998 |title=A BURNING FURY |work=Daily Record Glasgow |location=Scotland |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+BURNING+FURY%3B+Flag+torched+as+Japanese+tell+POWs%3A+You+don%27t+get...-a060568361 |access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> A year later, two "committed socialists" threw a burning British flag in the direction of the Queen's motor vehicle. They were arrested for a [[breach of the peace#Scotland|breach of the peace]] offence, subsequently pleaded guilty and were fined a total of £450.<ref>[[Evening News Edinburgh (UK)|Evening News Edinburgh]] ''Burning flag socialists fined GBP 450'' 13 October 1999</ref> In 2001 at [[RAF Feltwell]], home of [[United States Air Force]]'s [[5th Space Surveillance Squadron]], a protester desecrated a [[Flag of the United States|U.S. flag]] with the words "Stop [[Strategic Defense Initiative|Star Wars]]" before stepping in front of a vehicle and stomping on the flag. Her conviction under [[S5 Public Order Act 1986]] was overturned as incompatible with [[Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights]].<ref>{{Cite news|work=[[The Times]]|location=United Kingdom|title=Conviction for defacing flag is incompatible|date=21 January 2002}}</ref>

In 2011, a group of approximately 20–30 {{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} students at [[King's College, Cambridge]] influenced the burning of a large British flag, the centerpiece of the [[Student Union]]'s decorations to celebrate the [[wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|royal wedding]]. [[King's College Student Union]] condemned the action as a "needlessly divisive and violent way to make a political point... [the] Union flag is a symbol and therefore can mean different things to different people in different contexts."<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal wedding: Cambridge students mark Duke's wedding by burning Union flag|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8486536/Royal-wedding-Cambridge-students-mark-Dukes-wedding-by-burning-Union-flag.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2 May 2011|author=Joshi Eichner Herrmann}}</ref>

The Union Flag has also been burned by [[Argentine nationalism|Argentine nationalists]] protesting [[Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute|British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hayton |first1=Bill |title=Argentine protesters burn Union flag |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-latin-america-16663452 |access-date=15 June 2021 |work=BBC News |date=21 January 2012}}</ref>

In 2006, to allow greater police control over extremist protesters, 17 MPs signed a [[House of Commons motion]] calling for burning of the British flag to be made a criminal offence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2006 |title=BURNING THE UNION FLAG - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament |url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/31764 |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=UK Parliament}}</ref>

====Northern Ireland====
{{Main|Northern Ireland flags issue}}
Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, the law in [[Northern Ireland]] has varied since its foundation in 1921. The [[flag of the United Kingdom|British flag]], the former [[Ulster Banner|flag of Northern Ireland]], and the [[flag of Ireland|Irish flag]] are often desecrated or burnt in Northern Ireland by various groups as a political statement/provocation or in protest.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/779415.stm BBC: A motion calling for the Union Flag to be flown on Parliament Buildings every day the Northern Ireland Assembly meets has been defeated] 6 June 2000</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050410183041/http://www.democraticdialogue.org/working/flags.htm Flagging concern: the controversy over flags and emblems] by Robin Wilson, Democratic Dialogue July 2000</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050321195735/http://www.austenmorgan.com/Resources/Opinions/FLAGS%20REGULATIONS.doc ".DOC" format: Flags Regulations]</ref>

Also in Northern Ireland, Ulster loyalists have sometimes mistakenly desecrated the [[Flag of Ivory Coast|Ivorian flag]], erroneously mistaking it for the [[Flag of Ireland|Irish one]] as the two are somewhat similar in appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joe.ie/news/what-have-the-ivory-coast-ever-done-to-deserve-this-353431|title=What have the Ivory Coast ever done to deserve this?|website=JOE.ie|date=12 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/patrickroberts/loyalists-ask-us-to-respect-their-flag-as-they-burn-everyone-elses-215221501-238243931.html|title=Loyalists ask us to respect their flag as they burn everyone else's?|date=12 July 2013|website=IrishCentral.com}}</ref> In some cases, Ivorian flags displayed in Northern Ireland have signs explicitly labeling them as such displayed nearby to avoid having them desecrated by Ulster loyalists mistaking them for Irish ones.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyedge.ie/linfield-belfast-flag-ivory-coast-1514889-Jun2014/|title=Belfast shop insists it's displaying Ivory Coast flag, NOT Ireland flag|first=Emer|last=McLysaght|website=The Daily Edge|date=13 June 2014 }}</ref>

===United Arab Emirates===
In the United Arab Emirates, the desecration of flags is illegal and punishable by variable fine.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

===United States===
[[File:Iranian Protesters Burning USA Flag.jpg|thumb|Iranian protesters burning the [[flag of the United States]] in Tehran, November 2018]]
{{further|Flag of the United States#Display and use}}
Flag desecration is not a crime in the United States. The [[flag of the United States]] is sometimes burned as a cultural or political statement, in protest of the policies of the U.S. government, or for other reasons, both within the U.S. and abroad. The [[United States Supreme Court]] in ''[[Texas v. Johnson]]'', {{ussc|491|397|1989}}, and reaffirmed in ''[[United States v. Eichman|U.S. v. Eichman]]'', {{ussc|496|310|1990}}, has ruled that due to the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution]], it is unconstitutional for a government (whether federal, state, or municipal) to prohibit the desecration of a flag, due to its status as "[[symbolic speech]]." However, [[content-neutral restrictions]] may still be imposed to regulate the time, place, and manner of such expression. If the flag that was burned was someone else's property (as it was in the ''Johnson'' case, since Johnson had stolen the flag from a Texas bank's flagpole), the offender could be charged with petty larceny (a flag usually sells at retail for less than US$20), or with destruction of private property, or possibly both. Desecration of a flag representing a minority group may also be used in some jurisdictions to support the prosecution of a crime as a [[hate crime]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/hate-crime-iowa-man-sentenced-prison-burning-lgbtq-flag/2705226001/|title=Iowa man sentenced to 16 years for setting LGBTQ flag on fire|first1=Andrea May|last1=Sahouri|first2=Gage|last2=Miskimen|first3=Danielle|last3=Gehr|publisher=Des Moines Register|date=December 20, 2019}}</ref>

In the [[American Civil War]], the U.S. flag was flown by the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] against the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]]. [[Union Army]] general [[Benjamin Butler (politician)|Benjamin Franklin Butler]] ordered the 1862 execution for treason of [[William B. Mumford]], who had removed a Union flag in [[Capture of New Orleans|occupied New Orleans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.executedtoday.com/2009/06/07/1862-william-b-mumford-flag-desecrator/|title=1862: William B. Mumford, flag desecrator|date=June 7, 2009|publisher=executedtoday.com}}</ref> An apocryphal tale of [[Barbara Fritchie]] preventing Confederate soldiers dishonoring her Union flag was propagated by [[John Greenleaf Whittier]]'s 1863 poem "[[s:Barbara Frietchie|Barbara Frietchie]]", which contains the famous lines:
<blockquote>"Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,<br />
But spare your country's flag," she said.</blockquote>

During the United States' involvement in the [[Vietnam War]], American flags were sometimes burned during war protest demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Scales |first=Robert |date=25 June 2006 |title=Forget Flag Burning |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1207804%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317190506/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1207804,00.html |archive-date=17 March 2007 |access-date=6 June 2024 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

After the ''Johnson'' decision, the [[Flag Protection Act]] was passed, protecting flags from anyone who "mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag".<ref>{{cite web|title=18 U.S. Code § 700 – Desecration of the flag of the United States; penalties|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/700|website=cornell.edu|publisher=Congress of the United States|access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> This law was later struck down in the ''Eichman'' decision. After that case, several flag burning amendments to the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] were proposed. On June 22, 2005, a [[Flag Desecration Amendment]] was passed by the [[United States House of Representatives|House]] with the needed two-thirds majority. On June 27, 2006, another attempt to pass a ban on flag burning was rejected by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] in a close vote of 66 in favor and 34 opposed, one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to send the amendment to be voted on by the states.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/27/washington/27cnd-flag.html|work=The New York Times|title=Amendment on Flag Burning Fails by One Vote in Senate|first1=Carl |last1=Hulse|first2=John |last2=Holusha|date=27 June 2006 |access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

There have been several proposed [[Flag Desecration Amendment]]s to the [[Constitution of the United States]] that would allow Congress to enact laws to prohibit flag desecration:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/amending-america-proposed-amendments-to-the-united-states-constitution-1787-to-2014|title=Amending America: Proposed Amendments to the United States Constitution, 1787 to 2014 – Data.gov|website=catalog.data.gov|date=25 February 2016|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
*[[Douglas Applegate]] ([[Ohio]]) in 1991
*[[Spencer Bachus]] ([[Alabama]]) in 2013
*[[Steve Daines]] ([[Montana]]) in 2019
*[[Bob Dornan|Robert Dornan]] ([[California]]) in 1991
*[[Bill Emerson]] ([[Missouri]]) in 1991, 1993, 1995
*[[Duke Cunningham|Randy Cunningham]] ([[California]]) in 1999, 2001, 2003,
*[[Jo Ann Emerson]] ([[Missouri]]) in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
*[[John Paul Hammerschmidt|John P. Hammerschmidt]] ([[Arkansas]]), 1991
*[[Orrin Hatch]] ([[Utah]]) in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2013
*[[Andrew Jacobs Jr.]] ([[Indiana]]) in 1995
*[[Joseph M. McDade]] ([[Pennsylvania]]) in 1989, 1995, 1996
*[[Clarence E. Miller]] ([[Ohio]]) in 1991
*[[John Murtha]] ([[Pennsylvania]]) in 2007
*[[Ron Paul]] ([[Texas]]) in 1997, but he opposed any federal prohibition of flag desecration, including his own Flag Desecration Amendment which he proposed only as a protest against proposals by his Congressional colleagues, such as Emerson and Solomon, to ban flag desecration through ordinary legislation instead of by Constitutional Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul99.html|title=The Flag Burning Amendment – Ron Paul in the US House of Representatives, June 3, 2003|last=Paul|first=Ron|date=June 3, 2003|website=LewRockwell.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030609164530/http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul99.html|archive-date=June 9, 2003}}</ref>
*[[Gerald B. H. Solomon]] ([[New York (state)|New York]]) in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997
*[[Floyd Spence]] ([[South Carolina]]) in 1991
*[[David Vitter]] ([[Louisiana]]) in 2009

During a rally in June 2020, president [[Donald Trump]] told supporters that he believed flag burning should be punishable by one year in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-06-24/column-trump-revives-banning-flag-burning|title=Trump revives a lower of an issue: banning flag burning|first=Robin|last=Abcarian|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=2020-06-24|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref>

====Flag burning====
[[File:Protests after US decision to withdraw from JCPOA, around former US embassy, Tehran - 8 May 2018 26.jpg|thumb|right|Two protesters in Iran tearing an American flag at an [[Anti-Americanism|anti-American]] rally after the [[United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|American withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan]]]]
In common usage, the phrase "flag burning" refers only to burning a flag as an act of protest. However, the [[United States Flag Code]] states that "the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display (for example, the flag being faded or torn), should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html |title=Flag Rules and Regulations |publisher=Ushistory.org |access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>

====Confederate flag====
The [[flags of the Confederate States of America#Battle flag|Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia]], commonly referred to as the Confederate flag, has sometimes been burned in protest as well. In 2000, protesters from the [[Jewish Defense League]] burned Confederate and Nazi flags to protest an arson attempt against a [[Reno, Nevada]] synagogue. This was criticized by a representative of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], who said that it was more effective to work with the police and other authorities rather than to engage in "tactics which inflame and exacerbate situations."<ref>[http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/13656/counter-protest-in-reno-by-right-wing-jews-angers-adl/ Counter-protest in Reno by right-wing Jews angers ADL], ''[[J. The Jewish News of Northern California]]'', 21 July 2000.</ref>

Of the states which continue to have laws against flag burning, in spite of them being ruled unconstitutional, five afford this protection to the Virginian battle flag as well: Florida,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2019/0256.051|title=Florida Code 18:256:51|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref> Georgia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-50/chapter-3/article-1/50-3-9/|title=Georgia Code 50:3:9|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref> Louisiana,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78277|title=Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:116|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref> Mississippi,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=43bd4e81-c954-4897-9b47-6112aa76f9bd&nodeid=ABYAAEAAS&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FABY%2FABYAAE%2FABYAAEAAS&level=3&haschildren=&populated=false&title=%C2%A7+97-7-39.+Flags%3B+desecration+of+national+or+state+flag+prohibited.&config=00JABhZDIzMTViZS04NjcxLTQ1MDItOTllOS03MDg0ZTQxYzU4ZTQKAFBvZENhdGFsb2f8inKxYiqNVSihJeNKRlUp&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A8P6B-8B52-8T6X-739D-00008-00&ecomp=f38_kkk&prid=8be8ab0a-a7da-43d7-9086-216066db3b33|title=Mississippi Code 97:7:39|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref> and South Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://casetext.com/statute/code-of-laws-of-south-carolina-1976/title-16-crimes-and-offenses/chapter-17-offenses-against-public-policy/article-3-desecration-or-mutilation-of-flags/section-16-17-220-desecration-or-mutilation-of-united-states-confederate-or-state-flags|title=South Carolina Code 16:17:220|access-date=2020-06-26}}</ref>

===Uruguay===
Desecration of foreign national flags is punished by the article 139 of the Penal Code:<blockquote>Article 139 (Disrespect of foreign emblems) Whoever, in the territory of the State, disrespects, in a public place or in a place open or exposed to the public, the flag or any other emblem of a foreign State, shall be punished with six months of imprisonment to three years of penitentiary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Código Penal |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/codigo-penal/9155-1933/139 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref></blockquote>There is no restriction in place for the desecration of the Uruguayan national flag.

=== Uzbekistan ===
In Uzbekistan, desecration of state symbols, including the national flag of Uzbekistan or Karakalpakstan, emblem, or anthem, is punishable under Article 215 of the Criminal Code with fines, community service, or correctional labor for up to three years. Additionally, Article 203 of the Administrative Code imposes fines for violating legislation on state symbols, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan |url=https://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Uzbekistan/UZ_Criminal_Code.pdf |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=[[Verification Research, Training and Information Centre|VERTIC]]}}</ref>

===Venezuela===
Since the demonstrations against the refusal by the government to renew the broadcasting license of [[RCTV]] (a major TV network), the upside-down [[flag of Venezuela]] has been adopted as a symbol of protest for this and other alleged threats to civil liberties. Demonstrators claim that it is a sign of distress and a call for help. However, government and ruling-party officials insist that these demonstrators are desecrating the flag. An official video sharply criticizing this practice as disrespectful was produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31QJEFvYmMI|title=Globovision Denuncia: Mincia Viola la Ley con Mensaje Rojito|date=19 June 2007|via=YouTube}}</ref> [[Globovisión]] prepended to the video a statement denouncing the message as violative of the [[Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television]], "for constituting anonymous official propaganda".<ref>{{cite web|title=Globovision Denuncia: Minci Viola la Ley con Mensaje Rojito|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31QJEFvYmMI|website=YouTube| date=19 June 2007 |access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Desecrated flags}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Civil disobedience]]
[[Category:Flag controversies|Desecration]]
[[Category:Protest tactics]]
[[Category:Desecration]]
[[Category:Crimes]]
[[Category:Vexillology]]