Visitors who disrupt debates in the Flemish Parliament now face six-month bans, while the Speaker will also be empowered to prevent persons from entering the building if there are indications that they pose a risk of "serious disturbance of the peace."
These measures are contained in an amendment to the Visitor Regulations approved on Monday by the Flemish Parliament's Extended Bureau.
However, not everyone approves the new measures. The opposition Groen and PTB parties believe they go too far.
Problematic flags, banners and leaflets also banned
The changes follow an incident on 21 February when pro-Palestine activists interrupted a plenary session by throwing leaflets from the public gallery, chanting slogans and unfolding flags. Parliament then decided to tighten up its regulations to prevent disruptions.
From now on, for example, it will be forbidden to bring into the gallery any item that could cause a problem, be it a flag, a leaflet, a banner, etc., while the Speaker will be able to have a person expelled not only from the gallery but also from the building.
The rules allow for access bans of up to 6 months for anyone who disrupts the Parliament's work or who is the subject of a complaint in this regard. Access may be refused as a preventive measure, if there are clear indications that the visitor intends to disrupt the meetings. This can only be done under certain conditions, otherwise less drastic solutions should be favoured, for example by authorising a small delegation.
N-VA, CD&V, Vooruit, VB vote for; Groen, PTB against
The amendments to the regulations were approved by the majority parties - Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), Christen Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) and Vooruit) - along with Vlaams Belang.
For Groen, they go too far. "Parliament, as the heart of representative democracy, must be an open place, where citizens are welcome," Mieke Schauvliege, group leader of the Flemish environmentalists stressed. "Minor infringements that do not threaten the functioning of parliament should not be punished by a six-month ban."
The PTB is on the same wavelength, arguing that the wording of the new rules leaves too much room for manoeuvre. As a result, they could "be used against trade unionists who wish to follow a session that interests them" or "even parents present in the gallery with a baby," Schauvliege said.
