Brussels authorities banned a conference for being of a conservative nature
On April 16, authorities in Brussels issued a police order to prohibit access to the NatCon conference, citing its conservative stance on ethical issues and emphasis on national sovereignty, which includes a Eurosceptic attitude. However, Belgium's highest court swiftly overturned the ban, deeming it unconstitutional.
The conference, which featured various elected officials and public figures such as Miriam Cates and Suella Braverman from the UK, and Cardinal Ludwig Müller from Germany, along with representatives from Christian organizations discussing faith and family values, faced opposition from the mayor of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode district. The mayor justified the ban by highlighting the conference’s conservative ethos and potential disruption to public order.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized the actions of the Brussels authorities, emphasizing the importance of upholding freedom of speech and peaceful assembly as enshrined in the Belgian constitution.
The Conseil d’État, Belgium’s highest court, intervened, affirming the right to peaceful assembly and rejecting the notion that the conference itself posed a threat to public order. Instead, any potential disturbance was perceived to arise from reactions against the event.
Paul Coleman, Director of ADF International, expressed relief at the court’s decision, condemning the attempted censorship and stressing the need to safeguard fundamental freedoms in democratic societies.
Source: adfinternational.org
