Flemish parties pass measures to combat radicalisation

All of Flanders’ political parties, with the exception of Vlaams Belang, have approved a package of measures aimed at tackling radicalisation in the region. The 55 measures, developed by a special committee, include an increase in the number of recognised mosques, a 24-hour advice line, the creation of a positive framework for Muslim youth and local intervention teams.

The government warned that additional funding will be necessary to implement the full package of measures but has not gone into details. Integration minister Liesbeth Homans has already approved half a million euros for projects, but, according to committee member Elisabeth Meuleman of Groen, “we’ll need at least 10 times that. A city like Vilvoorde alone needs €2.2 million”.

In related news, Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever has warned of the rise of new organisations created to fill the gap left by Sharia4Belgium, which found many members jailed recently in the city’s biggest terrorism trial.

“We are seeing other organisations in Antwerp that use the same methods,” De Wever said, “that also hand out flyers in public and that try to recruit followers of an extremist radical Islam, just as Sharia4Belgium did.”

Antwerp police are currently investigating a group called Way of Life. “In recent weeks, we have noticed new initiatives to spread propaganda under the guise of religious instruction,” police spokesperson Veerle De Vries told VTM news. “We have learned the lessons of the past and are following the case closely, together with various partners, to ensure things do not escalate.”

Also in Antwerp, seven young women who were members of Sharia4Belgium have been found guilty of belonging to a terrorist group. Four of them were absent from the trial, having gone to Syria; they were each sentenced to five years in prison in absentia. Three others present in court received lighter sentences.

Photo, from left: Elisabeth Meuleman (Groen), Ward Kennes (CD&V), Nadia Sminate (N-VA) and Caroline Gennez (SP.A) introduce the package of measures in the Flemish parliament

©Nicolas Maeterlinck/BELGA