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.
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
---|---|---|---|
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 2013 Data
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Figures include hate speech and discrimination data.
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR observes that Belgium has not reported on hate crimes separately from cases of hate speech and/or discrimination.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
The three Personal Representatives of the OSCE Chairperson‑in‑Office on tolerance and non‑discrimination made a joint visit to Belgium. Following the visit, the Personal Representatives presented their recommendations for the country, which included enhancing the relationship between law enforcement agencies and Muslim communities, police training on hate crimes and guidance on hate crime monitoring and data collection.
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Anti-LGBTI hate crime
In its fifth report, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recommended that the Belgian authorities ensure that the new regulations for collecting data on racist, homophobic and transphobic incidents are applied in practice, and that they designate a contact person responsible for monitoring racist, homophobic and transphobic crimes in each police district.
Anti-Semitic hate crime
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published findings from a survey on experiences and perceptions of anti-Semitism conducted in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The survey showed that many respondents have been victims of anti-Semitic violence and harassment, and feared becoming hate crime victims in the future. The survey also mapped the extent of unreported anti-Semitic hate crime. FRA recommended that EU Member States consider taking a number of steps to improve the reporting, recording, investigating and prosecuting of hate crimes.