Belgium
Belgium regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Belgium's Criminal Code includes several penalty-enhancement provisions for specific offences. The data reported to ODIHR do not present cases of hate crime, incitement to hatred and discrimination separately. Hate crime data are collected by law enforcement agencies and the Prosecutor's Office. The Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities and against Racism (Unia) and the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men also monitor hate crimes.
OFFICIAL DATA
Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 1750 | 1334 | Not available |
2019 | 1568 | 1371 | - |
2018 | 1446 | 1006 | - |
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.
Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See
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.