Belgium - Key Facts
Business, Economy etc.
-
Although economic recovery is in progress, unemployment remains
relatively high. Further labor market reform is needed (OECD 13 March
2007).
- Its environmental programs are in progress (OECD 26 March 2007).
Constitutional issues
-
Since 1993, Belgium has been a federal state divided in Regions and
Communities. It is a multi-cultural, decentralized society.
- Independence of
judiciary: "Judges are appointed for life by the monarch; they cannot
be removed except by judicial sentence." (Encyclopedia Britannica
Online)
Foreign relations, human rights
- The country has extensive sub-Saharan African interests due to colonial past.
- Belgium has often been criticized for being slow to implement EU legislation into national law.
- The country has declared its commitment to effective "multinationalism."
- It adheres to the
principle of universal jurisdiction : Belgian prosecutors can
investigate crimes under international law committed abroad. (Amnesty
international, 2003). Belgian universal jurisdiction law, 1993,
(serious war crimes) amended 1999 (serious breaches of humanitarian
law).
-
Belgium has been the subject of extensive criticism on human rights
issues including: police brutality ("...continuing allegations of
police brutality, often accompanied by acts of racial discrimination."
Amnesty International 2004)); lack of transparency in complaint
procedures; inadequate investigations related thereto; rights of
detained related thereto.
- Belgium is a
party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
which, according to the government, "...is an integral part of the
Belgian legal system. The provisions of the Covenant can be invoked
before national courts, which apply them where they are directly
applicable."
Governance
-
Property Rights are considered relatively secure ("Property is well
protected, and contractual agreements are secure. Belgium's laws are
codified, and the quality of the judiciary and civil service is high,
although the process is often slow." Index of Economic Freedom by
Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal).
-
The country seemingly is largely free from corruption. ("Corruption is
perceived as minimal. Belgium ranks 19th out of 158 countries in
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2005."
Index of Economic Freedom by Heritage Foundation and Wall Street
Journal).
Due process
-
Belgium's criminal justice system has been severely criticized by the
UN, the European Court of Human Rights, human rights groups and others
for denial of due process, inefficiency and other issues, with public
lack of confidence reported. The government has acknowledged problems
and has undertaken to strengthen the judiciary system. The government
also has adopted corrective measures against
discrimination, racism and xenophobia., including strengthening of its
laws and awareness at multiple levels (judges and prosecution
officials, state officials including police and prison officers).
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