Belgium / Court of First Instance Kortijk / Openbaar Ministerie en Unia vs. C. J.W. L

Country

Belgium

Title

Belgium / Court of First Instance Kortijk / Openbaar Ministerie en Unia vs. C. J.W. L

View full Case

Year

2020

Decision/ruling/judgment date

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

Incident(s) concerned/related

Incitement to violence or hatred

Related Bias motivation

Nationality

Groups affected

Muslims

Court/Body type

National Court

Court/Body

Court of First Instance (Rechtbank van eerste aanleg)

Key facts of the case

A man manages, under various pseudonyms, several platforms on social media on which discriminatory and stigmatising messages are posted against Jewish people, black people and Muslims. Fake news is also posted about a sheep allegedly tortured and killed near an asylum centre.

Main reasoning/argumentation

The accused is prosecuted for inciting hatred or violence against persons on account of their nationality, race, skin colour, descent or ethnic origin. The Court recalls that 'inciting' does not require the defendant to make racist statements himself. It is sufficient that he consciously creates the circumstances that provoke or encourage these racist statements.

Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?

Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case

The accused is prosecuted for inciting hatred or violence against persons on account of their nationality, race, skin colour, descent or ethnic origin as referred to in Article 20 of the Racism Act of 30 July 1981.

Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case

The Court found the defendant guilty of incitement to hatred or violence against a group, a community or its members because of their nationality, colour, descent or ethnic origin. The man is sentenced to 2 months imprisonment (suspended for 3 years) and a fine of €200.

Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details

"Welnu, door een facebook-account te beheren en eenzijdige berichtgeving te posten waarin vreemdelingen of allochtonen in een slecht daglicht komen, de uitgesproken racistische reacties hierop niet te verwijderen, zelfs geen blijk van afkeuring of ontrading te geven en ondanks de aard van de reacties, verder de eenzijdige berichtgeving te posten zonder enige nuancering of waarschuwing (wetende welke reacties zullen komen), meer nog, de reacties op te zwepen met een fakenews-bericht, werd een viraal forum gecreëerd en in stand gehouden waar ongeremd racistische commentaren worden gedeeld en deze praktijk ook wordt uitgelokt/aangemoedigd. Hierdoor heeft beklaagde wetens en willens aangezet tot haat of geweld jegens een groep, een gemeenschap of de leden ervan wegens hun nationaliteit, huidskleur, afkomst of etnische afstamming."

"By managing a Facebook account and posting unilateral messages in which foreigners or immigrants are portrayed in a bad light, not removing the outspoken racist reactions, not even showing disapproval or disapproval, and despite the nature of the reactions, Furthermore, posting the unilateral messages without any nuance or warning (knowing what reactions will come), even more so, whipping up the reactions with a fake news message, a viral forum was created and maintained where unrestrained racist comments are shared and this practice is also provoked/inspired. As a result, the accused knowingly and intentionally incited hatred or violence against a group, a community or its members because of their nationality, colour, descent or ethnic origin."

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.