Hearing of the Justice Committee of 12 March 2024 to discuss the bill "on the recognition of Buddhism as a non-denominational philosophical organisation (...)"

On 12 March 2024, Evelyne Maes took part in the hearing of the Justice Committee to discuss the bill "on the recognition of Buddhism as a non-denominational philosophical organisation, and to frame the functioning of the Buddhist Union of Belgium as the representative body of the Buddhist community of Belgium of the functioning of the local Buddhist communities and of the function of the Buddhist delegates" and the bill "concerning the Buddhist Union of Belgium, the delegates and the institutions in charge of managing the material and financial interests of the recognised Buddhist communities".

As an expert in constitutional law and education law, she highlighted some crucial points during the hearing:

1️. The risks of applying a recognition procedure that has been deemed by the European Court of Human Rights as contrary to the ECHR.

2. The implications of federal recognition of Buddhism in terms of the powers of communities (which must guarantee education in recognised religions and in moral teaching).

3. There is a distinction between several provisions of the draft law and the law of 21 June 2002 "concerning the Central Council of Belgium's non-confessional philosophical communities, the delegates and the institutions responsible for managing the material and financial interests of recognised non-confessional philosophical communities". However, both relate to the recognition of a non-denominational worldview. The need for that distinction must be justified.

4. The Buddhist Union of Belgium, which would be recognised as a representative body, does not unite all Buddhist associations of Belgium. The legislator should explain in the explanatory memorandum why this does not prevent its recognition as a representative body.

If you have any questions, contact Evelyne Maes.

Click here to watch the full hearing.