Belgium is a European country with an area of 30,689 sq km and a
population of 1,14,92,641; Dutch, French and German are spoken. 60% of
people believe in Christianity, 31% have no religion, 7% are Muslims.
According to the Belgian constitution, every child has the right to
express an opinion on matters of self-interest, and There is an
obligation to accept it considering age and maturity. The interests of
the child will get top priority in making any decision.
Social security, health, family allowance, legal services are guaranteed for everyone.
Each member of the legislature represents the entire state, not just the area from they have been elected.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
There is a clear division in the whole country. According to Article 2,
Belgium consists of Flemish, French and German-speaking people. There
are even administrative regional divisions for linguistic reasons. The
cabinet will have an equal number of Dutch-speaking and an equal number
of French-speaking citizens. They could not solve any of the linguistic
problems.
Admirable Articles of Belgium’s Constitution
Article 16
No one can be deprived of his property except in the case of expropriation for a public purpose, in the cases and manner established by the law and in return for fair compensation paid beforehand.
Article 22bis (Part of it)
Each child is entitled to have his or her moral, physical, mental and sexual integrity respected.
Each child has the right to express his or her views in all matters affecting him or her, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with his or her age and maturity.
Each child has the right to benefit from measures and facilities which promote his or her development.
In all decisions concerning children, the interest of the child is a primary consideration.
Article 23 (Part of it)
Everyone has the right to lead a life in keeping with human dignity.
- the right to employment and to the free choice of an occupation within the context of a general employment policy, aimed among others at ensuring a level of employment that is as stable and high as possible, the right to fair terms of employment and to fair remuneration, as well as the right to information, consultation and collective negotiation;
- the right to social security, to health care and to social, medical and legal aid;
- the right to decent accommodation;
- the right to the protection of a healthy environment;
- the right to cultural and social fulfilment;
- the right to family allowances.
Article 24
Education is free; any preventive measure is forbidden; the punishment of offences is regulated only by the law or federate law.
The community offers free choice to parents.
The community organises non-denominational education. This implies in particular the respect of the philosophical, ideological or religious beliefs of parents and pupils.
Schools run by the public authorities offer, until the end of compulsory education, the choice between the teaching of one of the recognised religions and non-denominational ethics teaching.
Article 42
The members of the two Houses represent the Nation, and not only those who elected them.
Article 58
No member of either House can be prosecuted or be the subject of any investigation with regard to opinions expressed and votes cast by him in the exercise of his duties.
Facts of Belgium’s Constitution
Article 1
Belgium is a federal State composed of Communities and Regions.
Article 2
Belgium comprises three Communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community.
Article 3
Belgium comprises three Regions: the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region and the Brussels Region.
Article 4
Belgium comprises four linguistic regions: the Dutch-speaking region, the French-speaking region, the bilingual region of Brussels-Capital and the German-speaking region.
Each municipality of the Kingdom forms part of one of these linguistic regions.
The boundaries of the four linguistic regions can only be changed or corrected by a law passed by a majority of the votes cast in each linguistic group in each House, on condition that a majority of the members of each group is present and provided that the total number of votes in favour that are cast in the two linguistic groups is equal to at least two thirds of the votes cast.
Article 56
The House of Representatives has the right to hold an enquiry.
At the request of fifteen of its members, the House of Representatives, a Community or Regional Parliament or the King, the Senate can decide by absolute majority of the votes cast, with at least a third of the votes cast in each linguistic group, that an information report will be drafted concerning an issue that also has repercussions on the competences of the Communities or Regions. The report is approved by absolute majority of the votes cast, with at least a third of the votes cast in each linguistic group.
Article 78 (Part of it)
§ 2. The Senate examines the draft bill at the request of the majority of its members, including at least a third of the members of each linguistic group. This request is made within fifteen days from the receipt of the bill.
Article 99
The Council of Ministers is composed of no more than fifteen members.
With the possible exception of the prime minister, the Council of Ministers is composed of an equal number of Dutch-speaking members and French-speaking members.
