Belgium
Belgium regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Recent initiatives to improve hate crime identification, recording and data collection have been implemented through ODIHR's Information Against Hate Crimes Toolkit (INFAHCT) programme. In particular, Belgium has implemented the programme's recommendations on the operational practice of police, prosecutors, and equality bodies.
Crime victimization surveys and research are frequently conducted in Belgium. "Safe.brussels", the Brussels public service responsible for crime prevention and security within the Brussels-Capital Region, conducts surveys on the perception of security and crime victimization among the general public every two years.
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,839 | 1,222 | Not available |
| 2022 | 1,682 | 1,263 | Not available |
| 2021 | 1,591 | 1,357 | Not available |
| 2020 | 1750 | 1334 | 80 |
| 2019 | 1568 | 1371 | 103 |
| 2018 | 1446 | 1006 | 72 |
| 2017 | 875 | 60 | 56 |
| 2016 | 845 | 70 | 59 |
| 2015 | 881 | 69 | 56 |
| 2014 | 1064 | 76 | 61 |
| 2013 | 375 | 822 | 45 |
| 2012 | 615 | 893 | 66 |
| 2011 | 1152 | 865 | 75 |
| 2010 | 815 | 860 | Not available |
| 2009 | 1198 | 974 | Not available |
About 2009 Data
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Figures refer to crimes with a racist/xenophobic motive and include incitement to hatred crimes and discrimination crimes.
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
In the case of Cakir v. Belgium, involving a Belgian citizen of Turkish origin who brought criminal proceedings against the police for physical and racist verbal abuse by police officers during his arrest and detention, the European Court of Human Rights found that the Belgian authorities had failed to take all reasonable measures to determine whether the police officers had engaged in criminal conduct and whether the alleged criminal conduct had a racist motivation. This case reaffirms states’ duties under the European Convention of Human Rights to actively investigate and prosecute potentially racist crimes when there is a reasonable appearance of bias motivation.
Anti-Semitic hate crime, Anti-Muslim hate crime
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) raised concerns over anti-Semitism and intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in Belgium.