Belgium's Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that the written language test that is part of the country's naturalisation process was discriminatory towards those who are illiterate, Belga News Agency reports.
The case had been brought forward by foreign nationals looking to acquire Belgian citizenship and found themselves faced with the written language test, which any potential Belgian is required to pass. Also having to be completed orally, these tests allow the Belgian State to ensure that those wanting to be naturalised have a basic understanding of one of the country's three languages.
However, the complainants argued that, given their illiteracy, they would not be able to complete the written language test's short sentences. The case was then brought to the Constitutional Court's attention, which was charged with ruling whether the test was unconstitutional and whether it allowed illiterate foreign nationals to prove their knowledge of Belgium's official languages.
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On Thursday, the court ruled that the written language test was not only unconstitutional but also violated the country's principles of equality and non-discrimination. They also concluded that illiterate people can in fact acquire basic knowledge of either Dutch, French or German.
The Constitutional Court has now requested that lawmakers provide those applying for the naturalisation process with another way of proving their understanding of Belgium's languages, even if they are illiterate. Additionally, the court will determine, alongside language experts, whether the illiterate plaintiffs have sufficient knowledge of either Dutch, French or German.
