People convicted of serious crimes such as organized crime, premeditated murder or sexual crimes risk losing their Belgian citizenship after the Chamber of Representatives approved a bill last night, Belgian news agency Belga reported, quoted by BTA.
The reform significantly expands and tightens rules for revocation of citizenship. This provision existed before, but was limited in scope and often required an explicit request from the prosecutor's office. It was mainly applied to terrorists.
“People guilty of serious crimes that undermine the foundations of our society can lose their Belgian citizenship“, said Justice Minister Anneliese Verlinden, describing the measure as “a clear signal“.
“Threat to society“
The withdrawal of citizenship can only be carried out under strictly defined conditions. The person must have been convicted of organised crime, premeditated murder or sexual offences, which are defined as “serious crimes that constitute a fundamental threat to society“, and have been sentenced to at least five years of effective imprisonment.
In addition, the measure can only be applied if the person acquired Belgian citizenship within 15 years before the crime was committed. There is also a 15-year statute of limitations for filing the request.
Verlinden's bill also introduces automatic withdrawal of Belgian citizenship for dual nationals convicted of terrorism. The court may decide not to withdraw citizenship, but in such a case it must explicitly justify its decision.
The reform fits into the ruling coalition's broader approach to migration and integration, with an emphasis on stricter controls, harsher sanctions for serious violations and linking the privileges of citizenship to obligations to society.
Death by negligence in a road accident
Also yesterday, the Chamber adopted stricter penalties in the Penal Code for causing death on the road. Thus, according to the new text, which will enter into force on April 8, causing a fatal accident through negligence will be equated with murder.
The penalty can reach up to five years in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros and will apply regardless of the cause of the accident - whether it is due to negligence or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The criminal concept of road murder while driving a motor vehicle also exists in other places in the world. In England, Wales, the Netherlands and most states in the United States, causing death by a driver of a vehicle is a separate crime. This concept was recently introduced in France.