Former Belgian Minister Reveals Racist Attacks During Her Term, Explains Decision Not to File Complaint

Victim of racist attacks during her term in 2004, the former minister never filed a complaint, reports the newspaper Dernière heure. The first reason to explain her position: "The times were very different," she says. She then provides some details. It all started with an anonymous letter regarding the ban on the consumption of alcohol and pork meat within French institutions as well as the obligation for female staff to wear the veil. This racist letter was sent on September 1, 2004 by a member of the administration of the Culture and Audiovisual Department of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Fadila Laanan claims that it was an attempt to discredit her as the brand new Francophone Minister of Culture, Audiovisual and Youth, and the first Maghrebi political figure to be appointed minister in the history of Belgium.

At the time, Fadila Laanan says she did not pay attention to these "satellite" allegations, but mainly wanted to stand out through her skills. Today, she believes that the situation has deteriorated, especially with the contribution of social networks which are increasingly becoming channels for racist remarks. But she notes that the new generation is better equipped to stand up against any type of discrimination.

However, the former minister considers that the "Mouraux" Law, which fights against racism and discrimination, is not adapted to what is happening on social networks. According to her, racist speech is not an opinion, but a criminal offense. Regarding the absence of Maghreb history in school textbooks, Fadila Laanan believes that this gap needs to be filled as in the case of the Congo. She insists that this is the only way to do justice to the Maghrebi ancestors who fought in Belgium during World War II.