In a nutshell

According to a recent report in La Libre, a new analysis by the Federal Institute for Human Rights (IFDH) raises serious concerns about the erosion of the rule of law in Belgium. The report documents a pattern of the Belgian government systematically failing to execute court decisions, particularly concerning the humane reception of asylum seekers. This disregard for judicial rulings is compounded by the chronic underfunding of the justice system, which suffers from dilapidated infrastructure and massive case backlogs, severely hampering its ability to function.

The IFDH also highlights an alarming trend of executive power expanding at the expense of the judiciary, especially at the local level, without the necessary legal safeguards. This is happening alongside a rise in “gagging procedures”—intimidating lawsuits—targeting NGOs, journalists, and academics. The institute warns that these are not isolated issues but symptoms of an “insidious erosion” that begins by targeting the most vulnerable populations and threatens to weaken the democratic foundation of the state.

Our Take

When the executive branch, representing the majority of the day, deliberately ignores court rulings, it commits an act of majority overreach that dismantles the essential checks and balances protecting our democracy. This is not merely a political disagreement; it is a direct assault on the separation of powers, a principle we believe is more effective than any bill of rights in safeguarding freedom. By defunding the judiciary and disregarding its authority, the state cripples its fundamental duty of impartiality and independence , proving that even in strong democracies, institutional integrity cannot be taken for granted. Our mission is to provide the tools to reinforce these vital safeguards before the erosion becomes irreversible.