{
    "title": "Brussels tightens rules on begging",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-21 06:59:08",
    "published_at": "2026-04-21 06:59:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/brussels-tightens-rules-on-begging",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/yiDd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "brussels-tightens-rules-on-begging",
    "body": "<p><strong>The City of Brussels has approved new measures to curb begging, including a ban on begging with children under 16 in key central areas such as the Pentagon district, Place Louise and Avenue Louise. Offenders could face fines of up to &euro;500.</strong></p><p>The rules also prohibit &ldquo;aggressive, intrusive or intimidating&rdquo; begging across the entire city for a two-year trial period, after which the policy will be reviewed.</p><p>Authorities say the measures include a preventive approach. Police must inform anyone found begging with a minor about the ban, compulsory education laws for children aged 5 to 18, and available social support services. This includes access to free childcare for young children and enrolment in local schools.</p><p>The move follows a previous 2022 regulation that was struck down by the Council of State for being disproportionate. The new version limits restrictions to specific locations and conditions in response to that ruling.</p><div id=\"bookmark-e87e0056-d47b-4315-9c87-91801d9435fb\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"http://prez.ly/cOxc\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F8ff14178-d9bd-404f-9020-f9d5e95b0a1b%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=8cd165952e5052d8c81d755ec240039e)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"http://prez.ly/cOxc\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"e87e0056-d47b-4315-9c87-91801d9435fb\"\n           >\n                253 Belgian municipalities infringe on European human rights with begging ban            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Although begging has not been a criminal offence in Belgium since 1993, 253 Belgian municipalities have banned it. This way, cities and...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2F253-belgian-municipalities-infringe-on-european-human-rights-with-begging-ban&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<p>Opposition parties, including Greens and left-wing groups, voted against the measures. Critics argue the rules place too much emphasis on security and leave room for subjective interpretation of what counts as &ldquo;aggressive&rdquo; behaviour. Some also say fines will not solve the root causes of poverty and may simply push the problem into other areas.</p><p>Mayor Philippe Close defended the policy, stating it complies with legal requirements and balances public order with individual rights.</p><p>The decision comes amid wider debate in Belgium over the legality and ethics of restricting begging. Human rights organisations <a href=\"https://federaalinstituutmensenrechten.be/nl/bedelverboden-in-253-belgische-gemeenten-respecteren-de-mensenrechten-niet\"><u>argue</u></a> that such measures can breach fundamental rights, including protection against poverty and social exclusion.</p><p>While begging was decriminalised decades ago, many Belgian municipalities still impose partial or full bans, leading to inconsistent rules across the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>&copy; BELGA PHOTO SISKA GREMMELPREZ</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "253 Belgian municipalities infringe on European human rights with begging ban",
            "url": "http://prez.ly/cOxc"
        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}