Belgium

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

The Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) devoted its 2024 Annual Report to the right to protest. The report draws attention to the growing pressure on this fundamental right. Through concrete findings, it analyses the cumulative effect of different types of measures taken before, during, and after protests: preventive restrictions (such as individual protest bans), potentially disproportionate surveillance and policing measures, and administrative or criminal sanctions. As the national human rights institution, FIRM-IFDH highlights the risks these trends pose to freedom of expression, civic participation, and, more broadly, the space for public debate.

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

In 2022-2023, the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) conducted a research report on the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) in Belgium. Most of the consulted human rights organisations had recently faced pressure and intimidation. Many indicated that the situation as a whole had deteriorated over the two-year reporting period, with a strong gendered component. The report’s conclusions highlighted that stronger protection of civic space and HRDs is required.

A number of concrete proposals were included in the report, grounded in various regional and international guidelines on the protection of HRDs. The main findings of this report were presented to and discussed with most major political actors in several meetings throughout 2024. They were subsequently included in the main priorities of political parties ahead of the June 2024 elections. The final report was published in 2024.

In 2023, the Institute also carried out a public awareness campaign to draw attention to the importance of the work of HRDs in Belgium. For nearly a month, several thousand support posters were displayed across five major cities in Belgium. On 5 December 2023, FIRM-IFDH organised a support action in central Brussels, together with human rights defenders, aimed both at raising public awareness and at presenting the first results of its research. The action generated significant interest in the written press and on the radio. The campaign was conducted in French and Dutch.

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

The Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) is legally mandated to provide support to whistleblowers, including legal assistance, either directly or via attorneys, and it also provides training on whistleblower protection. It published a guide for whistleblowers in December 2024, together with the Federal Ombudsman. The guide is aimed at people who report abuse or fraud in the workplace or who intend to do so. It informs whistleblowers of their rights, directs them to the appropriate contact point and support organisations (including FIRM-IFDH and the Ombudsman) and encourages them to speak out.

To raise awareness about the support available for whistleblowers, FIRM-IFDH launched a campaign in 2024-2025 on social media and through other online channels. As part of this campaign, it produced a short video explaining what a whistleblower is and what kind of support they can expect from FIRM-IFDH. The video was shared on social media and other online platforms. In addition, it distributed brochures and posters through employers, trade unions, social secretariats, and other stakeholders. For this dissemination, it collaborated with the Federal Ombudsman, who receives whistleblower reports and ensures their protection. The campaign was available in French and Dutch.

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

In 2023, the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) was appointed by the Federal Public Service (FPS) Justice as a focal point in the fight against SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), following a recommendation from the European Commission. As the anti-SLAPP focal point, FIRM-IFDH will:

• Collect and share information regarding remedies against SLAPPs and support for those who are confronted with SLAPPs;
• Run awareness raising campaigns;
• Promote capacity building of the target groups (journalists, academics, lawyers, etc.) through training and awareness raising activities;
• Develop synergies between the relevant instruments in the field of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights.

FIRM-IFDH is currently developing its new mandate. It collects and disseminates information about SLAPPs and participates in the Belgian Anti-SLAPP Working Group as an observer. It monitors developments in the field to enable it to advise the federal government and federal parliament on the transposition of the European Union Directive into Belgian law.

In 2025, at the request of the Justice Committee of the House of Representatives, FIRM-IFDH issued advice on a draft bill aimed at protecting critical voices against abusive legal proceedings.

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

In its report to the UN Committee against Torture, the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights criticised the use of the concepts of “radicalism” and “radicalisation” by Belgian authorities to preventatively manage the threat of terrorism. It highlighted the increasing tendency to use vague and ill-defined concepts to justify a variety of actions. These include bans on working in certain sensitive areas, refusal to grant Belgian nationality, the closure of establishments by local authorities, refusing to issue a Belgian passport or travel document, revoking residence permits, and expelling foreigners from Belgian territory.

Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

In June 2021, the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) commented on three proposed laws aimed at prohibiting the creation and allowing the dissolution of certain groups and organisations formed to incite hatred, violence or discrimination. These proposals were also meant to allow the sanctioning of those who set up, assist, or are members of such organisations. While FIRM-IFDH welcomed the legislator’s continued commitment to combat such organisations, it noted that the current legal framework was sufficient in this regard. It further stressed that alternative sanctions to dissolution were more proportionate and less likely to impact the right of association. FIRM-IFDH also emphasised that any dissolution of an association or a group should be decided by the judiciary, not by the executive.