This Thursday, in the Chamber's plenary session, federal MP Denis Ducarme returned to the serious incident that occurred at Charleroi's municipal council.
A representative of the Charleroi-Palestine platform, a member of the Samidoun network (linked to the PFLP, an organisation recognised as terrorist by the EU), made statements there justifying the use of weapons by groups such as Hamas. These statements cross an unacceptable line and constitute indirect incitement to commit terrorist acts, in violation of Article 140bis of the Criminal Code. “Saying that Hamas can legitimately take up arms is not an opinion, it is a red line. This kind of message, delivered within a municipal council, is nothing other than glorification of terrorism,” said Denis Ducarme, who deplored the inaction of Charleroi's mayor, who neither reacted to the remarks nor interrupted or condemned the intervention. In response, the federal MP decided to take the matter to court and announced that he would refer it to the King's Prosecutor of Charleroi as well as the federal prosecutor's office, stressing that the fight against extremist speech must take place within the existing legal framework, but must also evolve if necessary.
Questioned in the Chamber, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin confirmed the seriousness of the events and added that concrete measures had been taken: “These statements are shocking. I have decided to include certain radical associations in the coordinated T.E.R. database, so that they are monitored by security services and mayors are duly informed of their presence in the area.”
The minister also reaffirmed his intention to submit a draft bill aimed at banning radical associations that jeopardise public safety and fuel divisions within society.
For Denis Ducarme, this swift action is a necessary response, but we need to go further. “Our democracy cannot serve as a platform for those who justify terrorist violence. What happened in Charleroi is a warning sign. We must strengthen our legislation, but above all enforce existing laws firmly. Direct or indirect glorification of terrorism must be systematically prosecuted.”
This case highlights a worrying gap in the prevention of radicalisation and underscores the urgent need for collective, political and judicial mobilisation to safeguard democratic foundations and social cohesion.