There was no significant change in the human rights situation in Belgium in 2024, according to the US State Department's annual report, published on Tuesday.
While Washington points to anti-Semitic acts in Belgium , it believes the Belgian authorities have taken the necessary measures to combat this phenomenon.
Unlike its French, British and German neighbours, which Washington has criticised for a deterioration in human rights over the course of the year, Belgium has escaped such criticism. However, the new report, which covers the year 2024 and was begun under the Biden administration, has been amended since Donald Trump came to power.
This is reflected in some of the complaints levelled at the United Kingdom, for example, where a new online safety law, intended to better protect children, has been strongly criticised by Elon Musk's social media platform X.
With regard to Belgium, Washington lists a series of issues relating to workers' rights, immigration and freedom of the press. There are no new elements and these issues are addressed in a factual manner.
However, the report focuses on anti-Semitism in Belgium. The State Department estimates that the Jewish community numbers around 35,000. There were several reports of anti-Semitic incidents, mainly in Antwerp and Brussels, the State Department notes. Although most were not prosecuted as criminal offences, there were cases of assault and damage to property targeting Jewish people following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, it adds.
The report also notes that the federal authorities have enhanced security measures to protect Jewish institutions and have generally enforced laws against anti-Semitism.
