Is a social media post calling for hatred or violence against a group a criminal offence?
In short
Yes. Publicly inciting discrimination, hatred or violence against a person or group is a criminal offence (level 2). This rule also protects migrants and refugees who are targeted because of their origin or religion.
Video transcript
In a group chat, an angry post against a community is going round. You're about to add something. Not allowed: Publicly inciting discrimination, hatred or violence is a crime: level 2. This rule protects migrants and refugees too. The right way: Don't share it. Take a screenshot; report it to Unia (0800 12 800, free) or the police. Consequences (Level 2 offence): Prison: 6 months – 3 years; Or: Community service; People targeted: Can claim compensation.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Publicly (in het openbaar / en public) inciting discrimination, hatred, violence or segregation is a criminal offence (Criminal Code art. 250, level 2).
- Protected characteristics include origin, nationality, skin colour, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and disability (art. 249).
- The rule protects everyone: inciting hatred against people because of their nationality, origin, skin colour or religion (for example, Arabs, Africans, Kurds, Jews or Muslims) is an offence in exactly the same way.
- Expressing a shocking or offensive opinion is not an offence in itself. The line is crossed when it becomes incitement or a call to action.
- If you see a post like this, do not share it; take a screenshot and report it to Unia (0800 12 800, free) or the police.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Prison is a last resort; the judge can also impose another penalty, such as community service.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 27, 36
- Court / prison
- Level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison. The judge can also impose a different penalty instead of prison (for example, community service).
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative sentence. 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:Sv. art. 590, 595
- The people targeted can claim compensation for the harm done to them
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5
- For serious or repeated offences, your residence permit can be revoked and your citizenship application may be affected
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
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?
Hate speech divides society and makes it easier to move from words to violence. The rule protects everyone who is targeted because of their origin or beliefs.
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
- 15 / 15 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 15 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Md. 250: in het openbaar ayrımcılığa/nefrete tahrik
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 250 - Found in an official source
Md. 250 seviye 2
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 250 - Found in an official source
Kapsamda nefret, şiddet, ayrımcılık ve ayrıştırma (segregatie) kışkırtması
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 250 1°-4° (özet) - Found in an official source
Korunan kriterler: zogenaamd ras, huidskleur, afkomst, nationale of etnische afstamming, nationaliteit, geloof of levensbeschouwing, geslacht, seksuele oriëntatie, handicap
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 249 - Found in an official source
Kriterler gruba göre değil özelliğe göre; her köken korunur
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 249 (yorum) - Found in an official source
Sarsıcı/kırıcı görüş ifade özgürlüğü kapsamında; sınır aşılınca suç
Unia, Haatspraak - Found in an official source
Unia ücretsiz hat 0800 12 800
Unia, Haatmisdrijf - Found in an official source
Sosyal medya paylaşımı 'openbaar' sayılabilir (Unia örnekleri sosyal medya)
Belgisch Staatsblad 08.04.2024 (Wet 29.02.2024, Strafwetboek boek I en II), boek II art. 79, 22° (in het openbaar) ve art. 250 - Found in an official source
Seviye 2'de en az hapis 6 ay
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Seviye 2'de en çok hapis 3 yıl
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Hapis yerine kamu yararına çalışma gibi alternatif ceza
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Hapis son çaredir; seviye 2'de hâkim werkstraf gibi başka bir ana ceza verebilir
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 27, 36 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e kaydedilir; kişi bir uittreksel alabilir ve bu belge iş başvurusunda istenebilir
Sv. art. 590, 595 - Found in an official source
Suçla zarar veren kişi, mağdurun zararını ödemekle yükümlü olabilir
BW Boek 6, art. 6.5 - Found in an official source
Kamu düzeni nedeniyle oturum sona erdirilebilir; suçun ağırlığı dikkate alınır; vatandaşlıkta savcı 'kişiye özgü ciddi olgular' nedeniyle olumsuz görüş verebilir
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
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?