Last modified: 2006-12-02 by ivan sache
Keywords: law | protection |
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Until now, Belgium did not have a law protecting the flag against
disrespectful use of the flag, like, for instance, burning or stepping
on it. A proposal to protect the flag is underway.
The national confederation of the political prisoners and
right-having of Belgium want a change in this situation. Two
Walloon deputies, Duquesne from the PRL (Parti réformateur
libéral) and Mairesse from the PSC (Parti
social-chrétien) tabled a proposal to complete the penal
code to protect the national flag of Belgium.
Article 282 bis would sentence to jail from eight days up to one
year and a 100 to 1,000 Francs fine (times 60 [the actual multiplier]
= 6,000 to 60,000 FB, making it an equivalent to US$ 200 to US$ 2,000)
anybody who, during a public demonstration or in any place open to
the public, would voluntarily show disrespect for the national flag,
by tearing it, setting it on fire, speaking about it in a degrading
manner, or by delivering it to injuring acts.
(in French: " [toute personne qui aura] volontairement manqué
de respect à l'égard du drapeau national en le
lacérant, ou en y mettant le feu, ou en proférant des
paroles dégradantes, ou en se livrant à des actes ou
gestes injurieux ")
Source: La Libre Belgique, 14 May 1997
It has become some sort of a tradition to step on the Belgian national flag or to tear in parts in pro-Flemish demonstrations, to express the wish to end the Belgian State. I do not think it is a coincidence that this proposal was made by two Walloon deputies.
Filip Van Laenen, 16 May 1997