UN investigates sexual violence in Belgium

With an average of eight rapes per day and hardly any convictions, Belgium has a poor record when it comes to sexual violence. The UN Human Rights Council today will investigate the issue with Belgian deputy prime minister Didier Reynders (pictured) during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), writes De Morgen.

The safety monitor of the federal police in Belgium registers eight rapes and ten cases of sexual violence per day on average. These are alarming figures, and only the tip of the iceberg, according to the police, as about 90% of all sexual crimes go unreported. Many victims of sexual aggression are too ashamed to report what has happened to them. When the victim does file a report, 44% of the complaints are dismissed, while a mere 13% result in a conviction.

Today's UPR marks the second time that the UN examines Belgium's human rights policy with a focus on rape and other forms of sexual aggression. "Belgium was questioned on these issues during the previous evaluation in 2011," says Jan Pollet, head of political affairs at Amnesty International. "So it's been a sore point for a while. But to say that the government has done nothing since, would be wrong. Unfortunately, it remains a serious problem."

Minister Reynders today is expected to answer a barrage of critical questions from a long line of diplomats during the 3.5-hour review session.