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 2014 Data
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Numbers reported here include – besides hate crimes – also other types of "discrimination" incidents, which can fall outside of the OSCE's definition of a hate crime. Incidents, where the suspect is a minor, are not included in the statistics.
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
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recommended strengthening existing training programmes for police officers and judges in Belgium. It also noted concerns with racially motivated violence committed by police officers. CERD recommends that Belgium strengthen its mechanisms for reporting bias-motivated incidents committed by officials, notably ensuring that undocumented migrants have access to this mechanism without fearing reprisals, and that any allegations are properly investigated.