Is it a crime to force someone to worship, to stop them from worshipping, or to disturb order in a place of worship?
In short
Yes. Using violence or threats to force someone to take part in worship, or to stop them from doing so, is a crime (level 1). Disrupting worship, and insulting objects of worship in a place of worship or during a religious ceremony, are also crimes.
Video transcript
A relative doesn't want to come to worship with you. You get angry: 'Come with me, or you'll see!' Not allowed: Using violence or threats to force someone to worship, or to stop them from it, is a level 1 crime. Disturbing worship in a place of worship is too. The right way: Leave the choice to them: everyone decides for themselves whether to worship. If you face pressure or threats yourself, you can go to the police. Consequences (Level 1 offence): Prison: None; Penalty: Fine or community service; If a child is forced: The judge weighs this.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Using violence or threats to force someone to attend worship, celebrate a religious holiday or rest on certain days, or to stop them from doing so, is a crime (Criminal Code art. 354, level 1).
- Forcing someone for these reasons to open or close their shop, or to do or stop doing work, is also covered by this offence.
- Preventing, delaying or interrupting worship in a place of worship or during a religious ceremony by causing a disturbance is a crime (art. 354).
- Insulting objects of worship with words, gestures or threats in a place of worship or during a ceremony is also a crime (art. 354).
- If the person being forced is a child or a vulnerable person, the judge takes this into account when setting the penalty (art. 355).
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Level 1 does not carry a prison sentence: the judge imposes a fine, community service or probation.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 1: No prison: a fine, community service or probation. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- It may appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire); this can cause problems when you apply for jobs
Legal basis:FOD Justitie – Uittreksel strafregister + Sv. art. 595-596
- Anyone who causes harm by committing an offence may have to compensate the victim
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
Everyone decides for themselves whether or not to worship. The rule protects both believers and non-believers from pressure.
Where can you go?
- Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
- Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
- Emergency112 · Police 101
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 9 / 9 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 9 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Şiddet/tehditle ibadete zorlama veya engelleme, seviye 1 (md. 354, 1°)
Code pénal livre II (Loi 29.2.2024), Justel FR konsolide metin, art. 354 (madde numarası: Justel NL inhoudstafel) - Found in an official source
Dükkân açma/kapama, işi yapma/bırakmaya zorlama (md. 354, 1°)
Code pénal livre II (Loi 29.2.2024), Justel FR konsolide metin, art. 354 (madde numarası: Justel NL inhoudstafel) - Found in an official source
İbadet yerinde ibadeti engelleme/geciktirme/kesme (md. 354, 2°)
Code pénal livre II (Loi 29.2.2024), Justel FR konsolide metin, art. 354 (madde numarası: Justel NL inhoudstafel) - Found in an official source
İbadet eşyalarına hakaret (md. 354, 3°)
Code pénal livre II (Loi 29.2.2024), Justel FR konsolide metin, art. 354 (madde numarası: Justel NL inhoudstafel) - Found in an official source
Mağdur çocuk/savunmasızsa ağırlaştırıcı (md. 355)
Code pénal livre II (Loi 29.2.2024), Justel FR konsolide metin, art. 355 (madde numarası: Justel NL inhoudstafel) - Found in an official source
Seviye 1: hapis yok; para cezası, çalışma cezası veya probation cezası (Kitap I md. 36)
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Seviye 1'de hapis yok
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet adli sicile yansır
FOD Justitie – Uittreksel strafregister + Sv. art. 595-596 - Found in an official source
Suçla zarar veren kişi, mağdurun zararını ödemekle yükümlü olabilir
BW Boek 6, art. 6.5
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?