LONDON, April 24, 2002 (CWNews.com) - A top European Union judge warned on Wednesday that the distributing the Bible could become illegal under a proposed European anti-racism law.

British Law Lord Scott of Foscote said the proposed law was meant to normalize members' states laws against racism. "The offense in question would almost certainly cover the distribution of Biggles [novels about a fictional WW II pilot]. It would probably cover the distribution of the Old Testament as well," he said.

Scott outlined the European Commission's draft definition of racism and xenophobia as involving "the belief in race, color, descent, religion, or belief, national or ethnic region, as a factor determining aversion to individuals or groups." The proposed offense would include "public dissemination or distribution of tracts, pictures, or other material containing expressions of racism or xenophobia."

He added, "So distribution of, for example, literature containing expressions of belief in race, color, national origins, etc. as a factor determining aversion to individuals or groups would be a criminal offense."

A key factor in the debate over the law is a proposal for a European arrest warrant. It would supersede current extradition treaties, making it easier for one country to demand that a suspect in another be handed over. Former member of the European Parliament Lord Kingsland said, "I believe the EU is making a serious mistake in extending the terms of this arrest warrant beyond the issue of terrorism."

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