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Belgium Sees Sharp Rise in Online Hate Speech, Anti-Racism Group Reports
Sunday 23 February 2020, by
About 400 reports of incitement to hatred were recorded on social networks in 2019, compared to 318 in 2018. These data were published by the Movement against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia (Mrax), which is concerned about the speed at which the phenomenon is growing in Belgium.
According to the president of Mrax, "the year 2019 saw an increase in complaints for incitement to hatred, especially on social networks". Carlos Crespo, however, noted that "these reports concern the victims, but also the witnesses who want to denounce what they have seen or heard".
Mrax data reveal a wider range of forms of racism. Xenophobia is at the top of the list, followed by anti-black racism (22%), and Islamophobia (21%). The movement has meticulously collected complaints about anti-immigrant or anti-French-speaking racism, reports 7sur7.
The president of Mrax also indicated that "racist speech has been liberated in politics, on the Internet, but also in the press". The official denounces this situation, which gives citizens the impression that these language and behavior excesses can take place with impunity. "We observe more words of incitement than physical acts," he concluded.