Colloquium: Belgians - second-rate EU-citizens? The new Belgian law on family reunification
The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (‘Centre’) organizes a colloquium on the problematic of so called ‘reverse discrimination’ concerning the new national law on family reunification.
In May 2011, the first chamber of the Federal Parliament ("The Chamber") voted for an amendment of the Aliens Law of 1980, which came into force in September 2011. The law, which tightens the existing rules for family reunification, foresees several provisions for Belgian citizens, which were different than those foreseen for other EU citizens.
The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (Centre) organises in this context a colloquium to discuss the problematic of the disparity in the treatment of Belgian citizens and other EU citizens as stipulated in the new legal rules on family reunification.
Programme
- 8h30 Reception
- 9h Weloming words
Session 1: Reverse discrimination of Belgian citizens and the right of family life
- 9h10 Directive 2004/38/EC: Field of application? Which right of family life? Which family members? by Isabelle Doyen (ADDE)
- 9h30 Belgian draft bill: Belgisch wetsvoorstel: from mainstreaming the rights of Belgians with EU-citizens to ‘reverse discrimination’ by Sabrine Dawoud, Kruispunt Migratie-Integratie.
- 9h50 Model country the Netherlands? Dutch experiences and the ‘Belgian-route’ Nederland gidsland? Nederlandse ervaringen en de België-route. by Kees Groenendijk, Universiteit Nijmegen.
10h10 Pause
Session 2: Is ‘reverse discrimination’ permitted by the international legal system?
- 10h30 Speaker: Sylvie Sarolea, Université Catholique de Louvain
- 11h15 Participant in the discussion: Pieter Boeles, Universiteit Leiden
- 11h35 Debate
12h15 L unch-break
Session 3: Is ‘reverse discrimination’ permitted by the EU legal system?
- 13h Speaker: Herwig Verschueren, Universiteit Antwerpen.
- 13h45 Participant in the discussion: Jean-Yves Carlier, Université Catholique de Louvain.
- 14h05 Debate
14h45 coffee-break
Sessie 4: Is ‘reverse discrimination’ permitted by the Belgian legal system
- 15h Speaker: Matthieu Lys, Université Catholique de Louvain.
- 15h45 Participant in the discussion: Stefan Sottiaux, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
- 16h05 Debate
- 16h45 Closing remarks by Nathan Cambien, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
Practical information:
When? 6 December 2011, 8h30-17h00
Where? Espace Baudouin - Académie Royale, Rue Ducale/Hertogestraat 1, 1000 Brussels
Costs? Free of costs