Amnesty report criticises Belgian anti-terror measures

Prison conditions, anti-terror measures and weapons sales are among Amnesty International's main concerns in Belgium, according to the human rights group's new annual report.

Every year, detention conditions, discrimination and violence against women are highlighted in the report, according to RTBF. However, 2016 also brought new anti-terrorist measures that are harmful, according to Amnesty.

For the organisation, the announcement of these measures immediately after the terrorist attacks indicates that they were taken in an emergency in order to reassure public opinion. The danger, Amnesty International points out, remains that they have been taken for the long term, while their impact on human rights are infrequently evaluated.

The report also pointed to an increase in discrimination against Muslims in Belgium, specifically in the employment field.

The report criticised the Belgian prison system, as well. "Conditions of detention remained unsatisfactory due to overcrowding, dilapidated equipment and lack of access to basic services, including healthcare," the report says.

"In April last year, prison conditions and prisoners' access to health care deteriorated further as a result of a three-month prison staff strike."

Amnesty International's president in Belgium, Philippe Hensmans, said the country has become increasingly of concern to the human rights charity. Belgium's arms sales to Saudi Arabia were among the problems highlighted.