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 2022 Data
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In addition to hate crimes, the above numbers include other types of crimes, such as discrimination and hate speech, which fall outside of the OSCE's definition of hate crime but could not be separated from the total number. Some cases may have been registered several times by the police, such as when there was more than one victim, whereas the prosecution register such cases only once. Data on prosecuted cases contain all cases that were sent to the public prosecutor's office. Data on sentenced cases for 2022 were not available at the time of publishing ODIHR’s Hate Crime Report.
Hate crime recorded by police
The police figures below include incidents of discrimination and hate speech, which fall outside of the OSCE's definition of hate crime but could not be separated from the total number.
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR recognizes Belgium's efforts to amend the existing legal framework to ensure that bias motivation can be effectively acknowledged and appropriate penalties can be imposed on the perpetrators. Based on the available information, ODIHR observes that Belgium's hate crime recording and statistics do not sufficiently distinguish hate crimes from other crimes. In addition, ODIHR observes that Belgium would benefit from ensuring that hate crimes are addressed in a comprehensive manner, including by introducing a co-ordination mechanism.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States agreed to a common definition of hate crime and committed to collecting reliable data and statistics on such crimes. To that end, hate crimes need to be distinguished throughout the recording and data collection process from crimes of discrimination.
In Ministerial Council Decisions 9/09 and 13/06, OSCE participating States committed to ensure a comprehensive approach to hate crimes. To that end, the authorities and civil society need to collaborate and co-ordinate. ODIHR stands ready to support Belgium in meeting the relevant commitments through its comprehensive resources and tailored assistance.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
🛈 Please note that the total number of incidents may be lower than the sum of incidents presented in the breakdown chart above, as some incidents involve multiple bias motivations.
🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.
🛈 Please note that the total number of incidents may be lower than the sum of incidents presented in the breakdown chart above, as some incidents involve multiple bias motivations.
🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.
🛈 Please note that the total number of incidents may be lower than the sum of incidents presented in the breakdown chart above, as some incidents involve multiple bias motivations.
🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
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2022-02 | Threats | CCIB
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Anti-Semitic hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2022-02 | Threats | CCIB
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Anti-Muslim hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2022-03 | Threats | CCIB
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2022-09 | Violent attacks against people | CCIB
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2022-10 | Violent attacks against people | CCIB
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2022-03 | Threats | CCIB
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2022-12 | Violent attacks against people | CCIB
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2022-02 | Threats | CCIB
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2022-05 | Violent attacks against people | CCIB
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Anti-Christian hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2022-12 | Threats | Jehovah's Witnesses
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Gender-based hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2022-05 | Violent attacks against people | CCIB
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