Expatica news

The Belgian news in July 2006

3 July 2006
No Belgian trial for ex-Chad ruler Habre

Former Chadian President Hissene Habre will be tried on charges of political murder and torture in Senegal, the African Union announces. A Chadian government inquiry has accused Habre’s government of 40,000 political killings and 200,000 cases of torture during his 1982-1990 rule. Belgium had initially applied for Habre’s extradition based on the country’s universal jurisdiction law. Habre denies all knowledge of abuse.

4 July 2006
Ozone levels high, but below alarm threshold 

The amount of ozone (smog) in the air breaches the Belgian warning level at 141 locations across the country, but does not exceed EU alarm levels. Temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius in Flanders and even 35 degrees in the Kempen region were also recorded. Belgium officially enters its second heatwave of the summer later in the week.

5 July 2006
Security service in the dark over CIA flights

The Belgian security service VS-SE has been condemned in a new report for having little knowledge of the activities of foreign intelligence services in Belgium. The harsh criticism came after the Senate completed its inquiries into secret CIA flights in Belgium. The report also raised questions about the willingness of the Defence Ministry to co-operate with the inquiry. Uncertainty still exists over four suspicious, allegedly CIA flights that passed through Belgium.

7 July 2006
Anti-racism concerts anger Flemish Interest

The extreme-right Flemish Interest intensifies its campaign against the artists participating in the pro-tolerance 0110 concerts. Party chairman Frank Vanhecke warns the artists that sales for their albums will fall if they perform at the concerts, claiming they will be “spitting in the face” of pro-Flemish Interest voters. Leader Filip Dewinter had earlier said the concerts were a campaign against the Flemish Interest. The free 0110 concerts will be held a week before the 8 October local elections in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. Performing artists will spread a message of pro-tolerance and anti-racism.

7 July 2006
Bishops urge end to ‘immoral’ hunger strikes

Belgian bishops have urged illegal immigrants to end their hunger strike protests being staged at various churches across the country. The bishops also said if they refuse to end their hunger strike, the illegal immigrants should continue them elsewhere. Church sit-in protests and hunger strikes by illegal immigrants demanding residency have been waged since October 2005 at various locations across Belgium.

7 July 2006
Belgium expecting solid economic growth

Belgium is set to record solid economic growth this year, according to forecasts published by various specialists. The Institute for Economic and Social Research at UCL has forecast a growth rate of 2.8 percent for 2006. The National Bank of Belgium is forecasting growth of 2.5 percent, while banks KBC and ING are expecting growth of 2.4 percent.

8 July 2006
Henin-Hardenne fails to claim 6th Grand Slam

Amelie Mauresmo comes back from a set down to defeat Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne 2-6 6-3 6-4 in the Wimbledon final. The Frenchwoman’s first Wimbledon title comes after she also won the Australian Open in January when Henin-Hardenne retired in the final. The victory earned Mauresmo her second major and also cleared much of the ill will between the two stars stemming from their shortened Australian Open encounter.

11 July 2006
Everyone welcome on Flemish national holiday

Flanders celebrates its ‘national’ holiday with political speeches, flower-giving events and a day off for public-service workers. And on the eve of the occasion, Premier Yves Leterme unveiled in Antwerp a