Bouchez Calls for Dissolution of Anti-Fascist groups Amidst New Anti-Radicalism Law
A request by Georges-Louis Bouchez to dissolve anti-fascist groups in Belgium is currently under scrutiny, occurring alongside the development of new legislation aimed at prohibiting radical and terrorist organizations. The government approved a preliminary draft law this summer, spearheaded by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR), specifically targeting groups like the pro-Palestinian institution Samidoun.
The proposed law outlines several actions that could lead to an organization’s prohibition,including direct involvement or support – logistical,material,or financial - for acts of violence,sabotage,terrorism,or crimes against humanity. It also targets the active promotion and dissemination of content justifying terrorist acts,and the organized,surreptitious infiltration of public institutions and democratic organizations to influence decision-making,as well as the repeated incitement of hatred,discrimination,violence,or segregation.
However, the precise criteria for banning a radical group remain undefined as the law has yet to be voted into effect. Currently, the legislation focuses on structures demonstrably involved in violent demonstrations or sabotage. consequently, dissolving a movement like anti-Fa would require proving the entire movement is inherently violent and falls within the law’s parameters.
A significant hurdle to dissolution lies in the structure of many anti-fascist groups. The law requires a defined legal personality and organizational structure for a group to be targeted. Many organizations identify with anti-fascism or opposition to the extreme right, ranging from active far-left groups to unions, student organizations, and even football fan clubs. These diverse groups are not uniformly committed to violence.
Therefore, Bouchez’s call for dissolution is, at this stage, largely viewed as a political statement, pending the finalization and implementation of the new anti-radicalism law.
