BELGIUM: Appeal to the Ghent Court
Patrick Haeck is a former elder of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Here he reports on the court proceedings that took place in the Ghent Courtroom in Belgium where Jehovah’s Witnesses appeal the ruling of inciting hate and discrimination towards former Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yesterday, March 22, 2022, we spent a particularly long and difficult day in front of […]
BELGIUM: Unia says Anti-Discrimination Act forbids shunning or targeting former believers
A religious group should never subject apostate members to a “shunning policy”, often with very damaging consequences for the family ties of the people involved. In connection with this, the court of first instance in Ghent sentenced the non-profit organization Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses to a fine of 96,000 euros for inciting discrimination and […]
BELGIUM: Jehovah’s Witnesses Convicted of “Shunning Policy”
The non-profit organization behind the Jehovah’s Witnesses has been convicted of inciting discrimination and hatred or violence against former members who chose to leave the faith community. The court in Ghent has decided this. Jehovah’s Witnesses are fined €96,000. “The religious rules are not above the law in our society,” emphasizes the judge. Originally published […]
BELGIUM: Jehovah’s Witnesses fined 96,000 euros for inciting hate
The non-profit organization behind the Jehovah’s Witnesses is guilty of inciting discrimination and hatred or violence against ex-members who have left the community. The organization will be fined 96,000 euros, the Ghent criminal court ruled on Tuesday. Originally published on Nieuwsblad on March 16, 2021 A former member of Jehovah’s Witnesses went to the Ghent […]
BELGIUM: Jehovah’s Witnesses in court to respond to incitement to hatred
The Jehovah’s Witnesses, prosecuted in particular for inciting hatred against former members of this community, will appear before the Ghent Criminal Court on Tuesday. The former Center for Equal Opportunities and the Fight against Racism Unia and about fifteen people have joined as civil parties. Originally published on Le Vif on 16 February 2021. A former […]
BELGIUM: Jehovah’s Witnesses face trial for hate crimes on February 16, 2021
The Jehovah’s Witnesses stood before the Ghent criminal court on Tuesday for inciting hatred towards some ex-members. The various parties are now given time to prepare their pleas. The case will be heard on February 16, 2021. Originally posted in Dutch on Nieuwblad.be by Simon Dekaezemaker For a period of five years, the court investigated […]