Specific themes

Find more information on specific topics, such as the abolition of the death penalty, the fight against impunity including transitional justice, freedom of expression including freedom of the press, the fight against racism and discrimination, LGBTI, children's rights, gender equality and women's rights, human rights defenders, respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism, and business and human rights.

Fight against racism and discrimination

Belgium attaches great importance to the fight against racism and has an extensive legal framework for combating racism, including the Law of 30 July 1981 punishing certain acts of racism and xenophobia and the Law of 10 May 2007 combating certain forms of discrimination.
  1. Last updated on

Our country has ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (7 August 1975) and is actively promoting its ratification and implementation.

As President of the EU, Belgium played a crucial role at the Third World Conference against Racism in Durban in 2001 and was thus instrumental in the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Belgium supports the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including through participation in the interactive dialogues with this independent expert.

In the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the General Assembly, Belgium plays a special role at EU level when the subject of racism is discussed. Belgium contributes to the implementation of the EU human rights guidelines on non-discrimination in external action.

Within the framework of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Belgium also actively participates in the fight against racism.

Useful links