Legal Definitions - lese majesty

Lese majesty refers to an offense that shows disrespect or undermines the authority of a sovereign, head of state, or the state itself. It can also be used more broadly to describe an attack on a deeply revered custom or traditional belief.

• 1. A crime against the state or its ruler: This is the traditional legal meaning, referring to an offense that undermines the authority, dignity, or legitimacy of a sovereign, head of state, or the state itself. It often involves acts of disrespect, insult, or rebellion against the highest authority.

  • Example 1: In a constitutional monarchy, a citizen creates and widely distributes pamphlets containing highly defamatory and false statements about the reigning monarch, explicitly calling for the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. The pamphlets are designed to incite public hatred and contempt for the crown.

    Explanation: This act directly attacks the dignity and authority of the monarch, who symbolizes the state, and aims to undermine the established governmental system. Such actions would be considered lese majesty under laws designed to protect the head of state.

  • Example 2: A high-ranking military officer in a nation with a strong presidential system publicly declares that the elected president is illegitimate and refuses to follow presidential orders, encouraging other military personnel to do the same. This challenges the president's constitutional authority and the stability of the government.

    Explanation: By openly defying and attempting to subvert the authority of the head of state and the established government, the officer commits an act that undermines the state's legitimacy and stability, fitting the definition of lese majesty as a crime against the state.

• 2. An attack on a revered custom or traditional belief: In a broader, more figurative sense, lese majesty can describe an act or statement that shows profound disrespect or challenges a deeply cherished institution, long-standing tradition, or widely accepted belief within a society.

  • Example: A renowned historian publishes a controversial book that not only questions but openly ridicules the foundational myths and historical narratives that a nation has held sacred for centuries, causing widespread outrage among traditionalists and cultural conservatives.

    Explanation: While not a crime against a person or state, this act is seen as an attack on the "majesty" of the nation's cultural heritage and deeply ingrained beliefs. It is considered lese majesty in the sense that it disrespects and attempts to dismantle a revered societal custom or tradition.