Proposed Belgian legislation could limit freedom of expression, says OSCE media freedom representative
VIENNA, 25 March 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about a proposed law in Belgium criminalizing certain forms of expression, most notably incitement to gender discrimination.
“Free speech should not be criminalized. The right to express opinions is a universal and basic human right; it must be upheld and protected, and only restricted to instances of intentional and dangerous incitement to violence,” Mijatović said. “Even speech that we find offensive and not in line with most basic democratic principles and values, painful or provocative must be allowed to be heard.”
According to the proposal put forward to the legislator in Belgium available on the Senate’s website, penalties for sexist and other discriminatory expressions based on gender include fines and prison sentences of up to one year. Mijatović said these sanctions were too harsh for a bill that was vaguely worded and subject to interpretation.
“I ask the members of the Belgian parliament to reconsider and to reject this amendment as it could limit freedom of expression,” Mijatović said.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.