The Brussels municipality of Molenbeek plans to open Belgium's first anti-discrimination bureau.
This initiative is based on a proposal from municipal councillors Khalil Boufraquech (Socialist Party) and Hind Addi (Worker's Party), which was approved on Wednesday by the municipal council, aiming to combat discrimination, particularly in employment and housing.
The councillors are taking inspiration from the Netherlands with this proposal, where similar bureaus already operate.
The local bureau will fulfil two key functions. Firstly, it will support citizens who have experienced discrimination through the complaint process. Individuals will be heard and referred to relevant organisations such as the police or Unia (an independent public institution which combats discrimination and promotes equal opportunities). Secondly, the municipality will keep a record of all reported discrimination incidents, forwarding these to the appropriate regional administrations.
"The latest Unia report on discrimination in Brussels is unequivocal. It identifies a significant issue with discrimination, notably in the rental market. As a municipality, we cannot stand by," commented Hind Addi. "Discrimination is not an opinion, it's a crime, and the municipality has a duty to respond firmly and proactively."
Local associations committed to promoting social inclusion through housing, including ASBL Bonnevie, La Rue, Livingstones, and the tenant associations of Molenbeek and Koekelberg, will also be actively engaged by the municipality.
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"The text particularly targets housing and employment discrimination, but it's not restrictive: any person who has experienced discrimination, regardless of the issue, can approach the bureau," Boufraquech clarified.
The launch date for the bureau is yet to be confirmed, though the expectation is that it will be operational within this term of office.
Meanwhile, the motion's vote saw unanimous approval, barring the liberal Reformist Movement (MR) and conservative New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) who abstained.
