The Council of State has rejected a request by parents to suspend a curfew imposed on their 17-year-old son on New Year's Eve in Antwerp.
The request for urgent suspension was made by the teenager's parents. Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA) had ordered the minor to remain at home from 18:00 on 31 December to 08:00 on 1 January.
Last week, a preliminary review by the Council of State found the authorities' measure "disproportionate" and recommended its suspension. De Wever then issued a revised curfew order with better justification. This new version led both the preliminary reviewer and the Council of State to reject the complaint.
"The new decision states that the restriction does not apply if the individual is abroad during this period. The Council of State believes this satisfies the individual's request, as he had indicated, with supporting documents, his intention to spend New Year's Eve in Amsterdam," explained the legal body in a statement.
As in previous years, the City of Antwerp has placed several dozen young repeat offenders under house arrest on New Year's Eve to "maintain peace during the evening." The police will ensure the individuals concerned comply with the measure.
The Council of State also decided on Monday not to annul the ban on unaccompanied under 16s in the Cureghem district of Anderlecht in Brussels on New Year's Eve. The measure, taken by Anderlecht Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS), does not "cause sufficiently serious harm to justify suspending the order," according to the Council of State.
