Belgium / Tribunal correctionnel du Luxembourg / Trib.corr.Lux., 22-10-2020
Country
Belgium
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
Main reasoning/argumentation
The content of the publications and the individuals' responsibility for them cannot be denied and thus the Court found that their criminal responsibility was established.
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
As the creators and administrators of the concerned website and Facebook page, the individuals involved in the case are held personally responsible for the content published in them.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
Both individuals were sentenced to 6 months in prison and a fine of 800 EUR. They were also ordered to pay 200 EUR to the special fund for assistance to victims of intentional acts of violence.
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
"les deux prévenus sont respectivement les fondateurs de deux groupements qui, de manière manifeste et répétée, ont prôné la discrimination ou la ségrégation fondée sur la nationalité, une prétendue race, la couleur de peau, l'ascendance ou l'origine nationale ou ethnique, mais aussi et surtout incité à la haine et à la violence à l'égard de la communauté musulmane [...] ; Or, il ressort de leurs propres déclarations - à la police [...] et lors de l'audience - qu'ils ont créé personnellement les sites internet et/ou pages Facebook liés à leurs mouvements et qu'ils géraient personnellement également (ou à eux deux) les publications de ceux-ci ; "
" the two defendants are respectively the founders of two groups which, manifestly and repeatedly, advocated discrimination or segregation based on nationality, alleged race, skin color, ancestry or national or ethnic origin , but also and above all incited to hatred and violence against the Muslim community [...]; However, it appears from their own statements - to the police [...] and during the hearing - that they personally created the websites and/or Facebook pages linked to their movements and that they managed personally also (or between them) the publications of these; "