Hate Crime

Unidentified two women

16
Jul

INFORMATION OF INCIDENT

ANALYSIS OF HATE CRIME

  • FACTS

Hateful expressions targeting the Gülen movement were written on the front door of Fedactio Gent head office by two unidentified women.

– EVALUATION OF THE CASE UNDER THE BELGIUM CRIMINAL CODE AND THE ANTI-   DISCRIMINATION LAW

According to the Belgian Criminal Code and the Anti-Discrimination Act[1], anyone who insults or/and physically attacks a person or a group because of hatred based on differences in language, race, nationality, color, gender, disability, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion or sect is liable to a fine or imprisonment.

In the case, the building and window of Vuslat Genk office were stoned by unidentified people and the window of the office was broken. The motive behind the stoning of the building and the windows of the institution is the perpetrator’s hatred of the victim’s political opinion.

In conclusion, in the case, there is a hate crime committed by public authority officials.

  • EVALUATION OF THE CASE UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

According to the Office for Human Rights and Democratic Institutions (ODIHR)[2] of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a hate crime is a criminal act motivated by bias against a group. Hate crimes comprise two elements: a criminal offence and a bias motivation.

In the case, the building and window of Vuslat Genk office were stoned by unidentified people and the window of the office was broken. According to the Office for Human Rights and Democratic Institutions’ definition of a hate crime, there is a hate crime motivated by the organization’s association with the Gülen movement.

  • CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION

Vuslat Vzw

Vuslat Community Center is an educational, charitable, social and cultural organization that organizes activities to provide children, youth and adults with personal, social and cultural skills. In addition, it prepares charitable projects to help those in need.

Vuslat’s managers are 2nd and 3rd turkish generations who see their Turkish roots as an added value, at the same time embrace the local culture and try to create a meeting platform for people from all walks of life.            

[1] 534quater of Belgian Penal Code and Article 22 of Anti-Discrimination Law

[2] https://hatecrime.osce.org/