Belgium / Hof van Beroep Gent / Gand, 24-06-2021

Country

Belgium

Title

Belgium / Hof van Beroep Gent / Gand, 24-06-2021

View full Case

Year

2021

Decision/ruling/judgment date

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Incident(s) concerned/related

Discrimination

Related Bias motivation

Religion

Groups affected

Muslims

Court/Body type

National Court

Court/Body

Ghent Court of Appeal (Hof van Beroep Gent)

Key facts of the case

The case concerns discriminatory rules applied in a municipal pool that forbid the use of swimwear that covers the entire body (burqini). It was brought by a woman who was prevented from using the pool because of her swimwear.

Main reasoning/argumentation

In the present case, the Court of Appeal confirms a judgment of July 5, 2018, in which the judge considers that banning a swimsuit that covers the entire body (burkini) for reasons of hygiene or safety is not justified and therefore constitutes discrimination.

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

Regarding hygiene and safety concerns related to the use of a burqini, the Court of Appeal confirms the findings of the primary judge, who referred to the opinion of the Care and Health Agency according to which this type of clothing meets hygiene requirements, if worn correctly. In addition, it has not been proven that it hinders in any way the safety of the wearer, the rescuer or other swimmers.

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

The municipality (responsible for the public pool) is to pay compensation of EUR 1,300.00 to the woman who was not allowed to swim due to her swimwear for the moral damage she suffered.

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

"Volgens het Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid moeten de regels met betrekking tot hygiëne voor boerkini's niet afwijken van deze die gelden voor andere zwemkledij. Het dragen van een boerkini heeft dus geen invloed op de hygiëne in het zwembad, mits de boerkini correct hygiënisch gedragen wordt, wat door de zwembadverantwoordelijke kan worden gecontroleerd." "According to the Agency for Care and Health, the rules regarding hygiene for burqinis should not deviate from those that apply to other swimwear. Wearing a burqini therefore has no influence on the hygiene in the swimming pool, provided that the burqini is worn correctly and hygienically, which can be checked by the swimming pool manager." "Een boerkini vormt aldus geen obstakel voor de veiligheid volgens het Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid dat — het weze herhaald — de nodige waarborgen biedt qua expertise én onafhankelijkheid. In het verleden hebben er zich nog geen problemen desbetreffend voorgedaan." "A burkini therefore does not pose an obstacle to safety, according to the Agency for Care and Health, which — it must be repeated — offers the necessary guarantees in terms of expertise and independence. There have been no such problems in the past."

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.