To better identify troublemakers, one of Belgium's police unions has called for the improved enforcement of the law that bans people from covering their face in public.
The appeal follows the incidents of public disorder, including attacks against emergency service workers, seen in various Belgian cities during Tuesday's New Year's Eve celebrations.
The police union Free Trade Union for Public Services (VSOA) has called for strengthening the implementation of the law on face-covering clothing in public. While CCTV and videos taken by police record these incidents, many people cannot be identified due to face coverings.
"Everyone can see from the images that the faces of the perpetrators are unrecognisable," the union said in a statement on Friday. Many of the perpetrators wear hoodies and other face-covering clothing or a (face) mask. "Only the eyes are visible. So how on earth can you identify a suspect of a criminal act? Let alone get convicted them in a court of law?"
Protestors with face coverings confront the police. Credit: Belga
Belgium in 2011 introduced a law, at the time referred to as the so-called "burka ban", prohibiting this. It forbids people from wearing clothing that completely or mostly covers the face. Those who break the law face a fine of up to €100 and could even risk seven days in jail.
The union is asking that the ban is strictly enforced, not only during New Year's Eve but also during demonstrations or other events. This "simple" application of the criminal code would make it easier to identify and link offenders to crimes, the union argued.
"People who do not comply with the law should be immediately removed from public spaces and receive adequate punishment."
