Special Rapporteur says there is a shortage of prison deradicalisation programmes in Belgium

Special Rapporteur says there is a shortage of prison deradicalisation programmes in Belgium
Fionnula Ni Aolain is worried that isolation regimes and other measures within Belgian prisons are serious human rights violations.

The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties, the Irishwoman Fionnula Ni Aolain, says it is worrying that no systematic programme for deradicalization has been implemented in Belgian prisons. She adds in a communiqué that, for all that, the Belgian government’s commitment to complying with human rights obligations whilst fighting terrorim, “provides an example of national good practice.”

Duiring the last seven days, Ms Ni Aolain has conducted a mission to Belgium, as Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council are able to do, being experts independant of any government or organisation.

She was pleased to note that the Brussels attacks on March 22nd, 2016, had not forced the government to declare a state of emergency to confront the security challenges posed. She said, "On the contrary, the full range of powers in the existing legal framework have been used to their full potential.”

However, she was concerned by several gaps in the system, particularly the fact that no systematic programme for deradicalisation or withdrawal had been implemented within Belgian prisons. She also flagged up isolation regimes and other measures within Belgian prisons as serious human rights violations.

 
The Brussels Times


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