More people referred to Kazerne Dossin for racism and discrimination offences
The number of people referred to Kazerne Dossin in Mechelen as an alternative measure for racism, discrimination and hate-related offences nearly doubled last year. According to the memorial site and museum, 36 offenders took part in a mandatory educational visit in 2025, compared with 19 the previous year.
Of the 36 participants, 29 were referred by courts and seven by the Belgian football association.
Kazerne Dossin is a museum, memorial and research centre dedicated to the Holocaust and human rights. The site served as a transit camp during the Second World War, from which more than 25,000 Jews and 350 Roma were deported, mainly to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp.
Educational approach
According to director Thomas Baum, the increase is largely due to cooperation with a growing number of courts across Belgium.
“The increase in the number of tours is mainly due to the fact that we are collaborating with more courts from different districts,” Baum said. “We are seeing slightly more young people, though.”
Participants are given a guided tour focusing on human rights, discrimination and the consequences of hate speech and exclusion.
“They realise: I could have acted, spoken, or reacted differently in the situation that landed me here"
“A conviction or fine usually does not work to change an attitude,” Baum said. “We tailor a tour to the person in front of us. Think of caricatures from 80 years ago that dehumanise population groups. Those still have an impact today. We also listen to them, simply as human beings. We often see an ‘aha’ moment. They realise: I could have acted, spoken, or reacted differently in the situation that landed me here.”
Several high-profile figures have previously visited Kazerne Dossin following controversies involving racist remarks, including politicians Dries Van Langenhove and Conner Rousseau.
#FlandersNewsService | A wall with pictures of Holocaust victims at Kazerne Dossin © BELGA PHOTO KATLEEN VASTIAU
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