Brussels is taking an important step in its fight against racism after approving a draft ordinance to create the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Racism on Thursday – "a first in Belgium," said Brussels State Secretary Equal Opportunities Nawal Ben Hamou.
Following the example of the Brussels Council for Equality between Women and Men and the Brussels Council for Persons with Disabilities, this new Council will – at the request of the government or on its own initiative – issue opinions and recommendations on all issues related to the fight against racism in the Brussels-Capital Region.
"This is an important achievement of the Brussels Plan to combat racism but also a first in Belgium, responding to the request of the anti-racist association sector to be consulted more systematically," said Ben Hamou in a press release.
"It sends a strong signal that the Government wants to continue to develop an inclusive policy and to combat all forms of discrimination in the Region as comprehensively as possible."
Related News
- Belgian footballer Vanzeir to 'step away' after using racial slur in match
- Vlaams Belang and N-VA race to the bottom in anti-woke attack
- The Belgian mayor fighting extremism with kindness
The Board is composed of 22 effective members and 22 alternating ones, appointed for a renewable mandate of five years. For the first time, this Council will bring together anti-racist associations, academics, social partners, Unia and representatives of the other Brussels councils.
"Thanks to this pluralistic composition, majority representation can be provided to civil society and an overarching government policy can be ensured through the presence of the two other councils active in the field of equal opportunities,” said Ben Hamou.
The draft ordinance will be submitted to the Council of State for an opinion before being approved by the Government in its second and final reading before the summer. It will then be forwarded to the Brussels Parliament.
