European Institute for Gender Equality
European Institute for Gender Equality

Belgian Penal Code, Article 409 (Specific criminal provisions on FGM)

Performance, participation, facilitation, and attempt to perform FGM

Criminal Law

Applicability of the principle of extraterritoriality

Yes (Article 10ter, Code of Criminal Procedure); Conditions: the victim is a minor and the offender must be found on the territory

Types of FGM addressed

Clitoridectomy; excision, infibulation, all other forms except piercings and tattoos or transsexual operations (re-infibulation is not specifically stipulated as illegal)

Number of court cases

Number of FGM cases registered with judicial authorities

Availability of information collecting system or reports

Not specified, but police and public organisations defending the rights of minors collect this information

Source

Leye, Els; Sabbe, Alexia (Responding to female genital mutilation in Belgium: Striking the right balance between prosecution and prevention), http://www.icrh.org/files/ICRH_rapport%202009_def%20-%20high%20resolutio... Website Intact http://www.intact-association.org/images/stories/documents/secret/nl/wet....

Additional information

Date of entering into force

27/03/2001

Metadata

Type:
Policy / Legislation
Language:
Dutch, French
Types of GBV:
Female Genital Mutilation
Keywords:
female genital mutilation
gender-based violence
legislation
criminal law