A group called Droit Pour Gaza/Recht Voor Gaza (Justice for Gaza) is suing the Belgian state using a fast-track procedure in the courts on account of alleged inaction with regard to the situation in Gaza. The summary proceedings are being brought before a French-speaking court in Brussels. The group consists of lawyers, advocates, professors, Palestinians in Belgium, and several peace organisations.
Home News
'Justice for Gaza' takes Belgium to court over alleged failure to act against possible Gaza genocide
Colin Clapson
Published:
On 7 July, they sent Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist), Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist), Finance Minister Jan Jambon (Flemish nationalist) and Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Francophone centrist) formal notification. Having received no response, they are now going to court.
The group is invoking the Genocide Convention. They say Belgium is legally obliged to take action if there is a risk of genocide, in this case in the Gaza Strip. Belgium should therefore try to stop this violence.
The group calls on Belgium to close its airspace, waters and borders to arms supplies bound for Israel and to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
Through his office Prime Minister De Wever announced that he will ‘respond appropriately’. Minister Prévot regrets that the action is going to court and says it is unfair to say that Belgium is doing nothing.