Brussels (Brussels Morning – February 3, 2023) Vlaams Belang has sharply criticized Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir, claiming that her assertion of a feasible split within the Justice Department is misleading. Marijke Dillen, a member of parliament, contested Demir’s stance, citing a study by constitutional specialists Stefan Sottiaux and Arvid Rochtus (KU Leuven), stating, “But that study cannot address the two-thirds majority needed to achieve that split.”
Is a Flemish Justice System Achievable?
Dillen highlighted the pressing issues within the Ministry of Justice, emphasizing the dire state of overcrowded prisons and the resulting backlog in sentences. Despite promises and announcements, Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne has failed to address these longstanding issues. Dillen further criticized the significant judicial backlog, dilapidated courthouses, and the plight of unpaid experts and interpreters.
Obstacles to Flemish Autonomy in Justice
While acknowledging the necessity for Flanders to have its own prisons and criminal provisions, Dillen expressed skepticism about the feasibility of achieving a Flemish Justice system. She pointed out that within the Belgian context, the path to a Flemish Justice system on Flemish territory has been blocked since the sixth state reform in 2012. Dillen criticized the Flemish negotiators for allowing themselves to be outmaneuvered by French-speaking parties, resulting in an expansion of power for French-speaking courts. She concluded that without significant concessions, it is unrealistic to expect Flanders to attain autonomy in justice within Belgium.
