Belgium

PLANNED ACTIONS:

Action point 2, Elaborer une brochure sur les mécanismes de réparation liés à l’autorité publique [Prepare a brochure on grievance mechanisms related to public authority] states that the federal government will engage in a research mission to list all of the different state-based mechanisms (both judicial and non-judicial) that can be used in cases of human rights violations by companies or organizations (Belgian or foreign). The NAP explains that “it is the duty of the authorities to ensure effective remedies for the victims of human rights violations by companies and organizations. This is through appropriate judicial, administrative, legislative or other means. ..Reparation can take place in a variety of ways, ranging from public apologies to penalties (criminal or administrative), including compensation, rehabilitation, financial and non-financial compensation, and prevention of violations, for example through injunctions or guarantees of non-recurrence. Reparation procedures must be neutral, protected against corruption and free from political or other attempts to influence the outcome.

Similarly, Action point 3, Formulation de recommandations en vue d’améliorer l’accès à un mécanisme de reparation judiciaire [Recommendations for improving access to a judicial grievance mechanism] mentions that reparation procedures “must be neutral, protect against corruption and be free from any attempt, political or other, to influence its outcome.”