2024 was a very important year for anti-speciesism in Belgium, as an exceptional trial was held before the 6th Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of Hainaut (Charleroi section) on 23 and 30 September.
More than thirty anti-speciesist citizens were prosecuted by the Public Prosecutor of Charleroi for alleged offences (1) of criminal association with the aim of causing damage to property or persons; (2) destruction of movable property (in this case, more than a hundred hunting hides) and finally (3) simple theft of movable property with the aggravating circumstance of breaking and entering (in this case, rabbits, chickens and pheasants). The numerous offences are alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2020.
This so-called ‘anti-hunting’ trial was exceptional in more ways than one: firstly, because of the number of acts classified as criminal offences that took place in Belgium over a period of more than two years (more than thirty incidents); secondly, because of the large number of citizens charged by the Charleroi Public Prosecutor’s Office (33 to be precise); and thirdly, because of the number of civil parties allegedly harmed (25 civil parties, hunting clubs or individuals) represented in person. charged by the Charleroi Public Prosecutor’s Office (33 to be exact); by the number of civil parties allegedly harmed (25 civil parties, hunting clubs or individuals) represented in person or through their lawyers; and finally by the substantial amount of damages claimed (more than £250,000 in alleged damages).
In this case, the criminal proceedings were based on the special status of animals under Belgian law. While certain animals are considered sentient beings under regional codes on animal welfare and protection, the Belgian Civil Code still considers that, in their legal relations with the world around them, other animals must be treated as movable property.
Thirty-three citizens therefore stood up to challenge this state of law and to try to explain to the court that, based on recent ethical, scientific and ethological advances proving their sentience, other animals should no longer be considered as movable property but as sentient beings and that their sole presumed intention was not criminal and culpable but, on the contrary, to provide them with essential assistance to avoid immediate danger.
The co-defendants also considered that if other animals were recognised by the legislator for what they really are, there would obviously be no criminal offences, but rather the essential assistance provided to non-human persons (individuals) in danger of death. The alleged actions were therefore considered to be a simple expression of political freedom of expression, which is absolutely guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The legal issue at stake was enormous.
This public demonstration of solidarity was organised in collaboration with the Charleroi Administrative Police and took place in front of the courthouse on Monday, 30 September 2024. Around 20 anti-speciesist activists from L.I.A. wanted to challenge the judicial and political authorities on the unfair and discriminatory status of non-human animals in Belgian law and express their desire to ban all forms of animal exploitation.
The activists felt they had a major responsibility to advocate for non-human animals and thus to bring anti-speciesism into the public arena and to loudly demand an end to all forms of discrimination based on the discriminatory legal status of non-human animals in Belgian law, which are still currently considered movable property or tangible objects, contrary to all current scientific, ethological, philosophical and legal advances in this area.
Les autres animaux and the L.I.A. warmly thank the citizens who took to the streets on this occasion to raise the voice of anti-speciesism in Belgium.
You can find all the detailed information on the anti-speciesist trial in Charleroi as well as the full commentary on the judgment handed down by the Court on 18 November 2024 by clicking on this link.
The court’s ruling is highly informative and opens up some very interesting prospects for anti-speciesist activism (and other forms of activism as well). The L.I.A. invites you to read it.