Legal loopholes let hate speech go scot-free in Belgium

BRUSSELS (AA) – Due to a legal loophole, people who incite against Muslims are hardly punished by the courts in the Western European country of Belgium

There have been many incidents where Muslims and veiled women have been victims of discrimination based on religion.

“When a community wants to build a mosque, there is some very negative reaction. We know that there is a trend that is very nationalistic and very discriminatory,” he said.

But the perpetrators have not been punished.

Speaking to Türkiye’s Anadolu news agency, Patrick Charlier, director of the independent public body, said this was due to loopholes in the Belgian constitution.

Charlier said the fact that the cases are hardly investigated is due to gaps in the law. He said there is a provision in the Constitution preventing hate speech against races. But there is no such provision when it comes to hate speech against a religious identity.

He said the loophole in the law needs to be corrected.

However, a two-thirds majority is required to amend the Constitution, which is not easy.

 Charlier, however, noted that Belgian society is quickly accepting religious diversity.

 He said companies and schools are turning to his Interfederal Center for Equal Opportunities for suggestions on embracing diversity and inclusive policies.