Public trust in the Belgian justice system has taken a beating, with the general view of criminals acting with impunity fuelled by the series of shootings that hit certain neighbourhoods in February.
The motive was undisputed: a turf war between rival drug gangs; the incidents became an almost daily occurrence, taking place in known crime "hotspots"; police were actually present on several fatal nights, apparently no deterrence to gangs. At the same time, politicians argued about whether fusing the city's six separate police zones might be more effective. As if the current organisation could be any less.
But beyond police forces struggling to maintain order at street level, Belgium's judicial authorities are also faltering, undermined by chronic understaffing which prevents cases from arriving promptly at their legal conclusion.
"We're facing a tsunami of cases with a paper boat," was how Michel Claise, one of the most prominent magistrates described the situation, grimly attesting to an anaemic system unable to guard against increasingly complex criminal activity. As well as drug violence, this opens the door to corruption, which is assisted by "an underlying structure that makes it thrive."
This was most recently brought to light with the benefits fraud taking place in the commune of Anderlecht, where thousands of euros were being given to claimants with barely even the most cursory of checks. And no one believes Anderlecht is the only rotten apple among the hundreds of social welfare centres across the country.
20 March has for ten years been marked "Justice Day" by the national union of magistrates, which stages a trial of the Belgian state to highlight the weaknesses of the justice system. Today's edition saw the state condemned for failing to provide sufficient funding for personnel, for not respecting its own laws, and the hopelessly overcrowded prisons.
The organisation pointed out that 89% of citizens believe judicial delays are excessive and just 54% have confidence in the justice system. The net result is Belgium's democracy "in terrible danger," Claise warns. But the alarm has been ringing for years.
The future of Brussels: as world affairs develop at lightning speed, Belgium's capital still has no government nine months after elections. As debts rise and the public services struggle to meet growing insecurity, negotiations remain paralysed. To understand the implications of the deadlock and what chance there is of a way out, The Brussels Times is hosting an after-work panel from 18:30 to 20:30 on Tuesday 25 March at Cardo Brussels Hotel. Speaking will be philosopher Philippe Van Parijs, Vista party president Jan Wostyn, and Professor of Constitutional Law Céline Romainville. Registration is free, please RSVP to: info@brusselstimes.com.
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1. Belgium among countries with highest concentrations of drug residue in wastewater
Belgium is among the countries with the highest concentrations of drug residue – including MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines and ketamine – found in its wastewater. Read more.
2. General strike: Brussels Airlines expects disruption – passengers can rebook or cancel flights
Brussels Airlines is allowing passengers with a flight scheduled for Monday 31 March, the day of the general strike, to postpone or cancel. Read more.
3. ‘Treated like Uber drivers’: Why European school teachers are striking
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4. ‘Belgian democracy is in terrible danger,’ ex-Qatargate judge calls for anti-corruption agency
Ex-Qatargate judge Michel Claise calls for a national anti-corruption agency as international agencies highlight Belgium's inadequate response to corruption. Read more.
5. Belgium rises in ranking of happiest countries – but has happiness increased?
While Belgium has risen in the ranking in recent years, the population is not happier on average. Read more.
6. Belgian wine production falls by almost two-thirds in 2024 due to bad weather
Production dropped to around 1.226 million litres of wine last year – the lowest figure since 2017. Read more.
7. PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ found in 68 of 229 everyday products in Belgium
"We found products containing PFAS in almost every category. The only exceptions were waterproof mattress protectors and oven gloves." Read more.
