The comments made by Pierres-Yves Jeholet (MR) on RTL-TVI on Sunday are “unhappy and clumsy, against a background of racism” but are not “not against the law“, according to Patrick Charlier, director of the Interfederal Center for Equal Opportunities and the Fight against Racism and Discrimination (Unia).
Asked about his positions regarding the wearing of convictional signs and the veil during a debate on RTL-TVI facing Nabil Boukili (PTB), Pierre-Yves Jeholet stressed that his party was for the neutrality of the State and therefore opposed the wearing of the veil in the public service.
“The veil must not be a reason for discrimination“, replied Nabil Boukili, who noted that certain countries, such as Great Britain, authorize the wearing of religious symbols in many functions. “Don’t come and give us lessons here in Belgium“, retorted Pierre-Yves Jeholet, attacking his opponent of the day. “There are rules, we respect them. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay in Belgium.”
Pierre-Yves Jeholet thus attacked his opponent “on what he is and not on what he says“, with “an argument that is not one“, according to Patrick Charlier. The liberal’s comments are not, however, punishable, because “they do not represent a form of incitement to hatred“, continued the president of Unia, questioned by Belga.
The latter also judged that the subject of wearing the veil and the principle of state neutrality constituted a real debate, with arguments existing in both directions. “These comments do not call into question Pierre-Yves Jeholet’s arguments in support of the ban in question.“, said Patrick Charlier again.
Belga – Photo: Belga
