Famous Belgian plastic surgeon Jeff Hoeyberghs (62) – who last year was sentenced to 10 months in prison for misogynistic statements he made during a guest lecture at Ghent University in 2019 – has been spared in going to prison, but instead will have to pay a €1,000 fine.
In early 2022, Hoeyberghs was convicted by a Ghent court for sexism, incitement to hatred and discrimination following a lecture he had given at Ghent University in December 2019 at the invitation of the Catholic Flemish Students' Union (KVHV).
His comments during the lecture included: "Women want the privileges of male protection and money, but they do not want to open their legs anymore"; "We have given women dishwashing machines and cleaning ladies, until they themselves became superfluous"; and "You cannot treat a woman like an equal without becoming her slave."
In the same lecture, Hoeyberghs said that women are not suitable to become scientists as they "always let emotions get in their way," and that prisons, psychiatric institutions and rehab centres are "filled with children of single mothers."
'Cannot judge the taste of humour'
Following the lecture, of which video fragments were shared online, the Institute for Equality of Women and Men received nearly 1,500 complaints. The Interfederal Equal Opportunities Centre (Unia) also received 152 reports of discrimination due to "racial criteria, physical characteristics or health condition."
He was sentenced to ten months in prison, half of which were suspended, and a fine of €8,000. Hoeyberghs appealed against his sentence, with his lawyers stating that he was only expressing an opinion without any intention to incite any hatred or violence.
The Ghent court agreed with his lawyers for most of Hoeyberghs' comments and reduced the accused's punishment to a €1,000 fine. It ruled that Hoeyberghs explored the limits of what is permissible, but he is protected by freedom of expression. The court also considers certain statements to be a form of satire and said it "cannot judge the taste of humour."
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The Institute for Equality of Women and Men is satisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the institute's lawyer Joos Roets told VRT. "The court has emphasised that freedom of expression does not offer the freedom to say anything. Mr Hoeyberghs has indeed been convicted, also on appeal. That is therefore a very important signal to society."
Hoeyberghs' lawyer did not comment on the ruling. The parties can still appeal in cassation.
