Fouad Belkacem v. Belgium

Court Decisions

In this legal case, the European Court of Human Rights found that a conviction for the incitement of hatred, violence and discrimination under Belgian law did not breach the applicant’s right to the freedom of expression, as protected by Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights. The Court ruled against the applicant, stating that his attempt to call on his right to freedom of expression was for purposes which were manifestly contrary to the spirit of the Convention (in videos shared on YouTube, the applicant called for viewers to overpower non-Muslims, teach non-Muslims a lesson and join extremist groups.). The Court therefore found that the applicant could not rely on his right. The Court also affirmed a contracting state’s ability to oppose political movements based on religious fundamentalism.