Brussels Firefighter’s Racist Social Media Post Upheld as Grounds for Disciplinary Action

Two firefighters had posted racist comments on Facebook in October 2020. "It’s still weird that the 3 municipalities with the most positive cases in Brussels (+/- 4800/municipality) are Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek...," wrote a young firefighter. His colleague, for his part, replied: "I know why and I hope the deaths there will be more numerous".

In the eyes of SIAMU, these comments were unacceptable. It had opened disciplinary proceedings against the firefighters. Last March, one of the authors had received a reprimand, while the second, whose comments were deemed more serious, was demoted from the rank of corporal to that of a simple firefighter. Dissatisfied, the latter had filed an appeal before the regional appeals commission. The latter requested the cancellation of the sanction imposed, after having heard the firefighter and his lawyer in April. A decision motivated by a "violation of the duty of impartiality during the procedure", explains to the RTBF the lawyer of the firefighter, Simon Lefèbvre.

"There is also, for the appeals commission, a violation of the principle of proportionality: the sanction is too severe compared to the colleague who only received a reprimand," he added. According to the regional appeals commission, the motivation of the sanction is insufficient. The decision of the commission did not, however, shake SIAMU, which maintained its sanction against the firefighter. An appeal to the Council of State is already being considered.