Today more than 1,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Brussels, Bruges and Ghent to protest the Belgian justice system. The protests are focused on the punishments imposed on members of the Reuzegom student union following the death of student Sanda Dia. The protesters think the punishments are far too low and are demanding stricter measures.
The protest began at 1 p.m. at the Palace of Justice in Brussels, a symbolic location chosen for its focus on the Belgian justice system. The eighteen Giant Gum members received community service sentences received sentences ranging from 300 hours and fines of up to 400 euros. The protesters disagree with this and feel that stricter sentences should have been imposed should have been imposed. The issue has sparked a wider debate about the need of reforms within the justice system to ensure that such tragic events can be prevented in the future.
The reason for the protest is the tragic death of student Sanda Dia. In 2018, Dia had joined the Leuven student union Giant Gum. During the association's hazing, Dia was humiliated and neglected. He was among other things, forced to drink large amounts of alcohol and consume fish oil consume. These abuses eventually led to his death.
Not only in Belgium, but also in the Netherlands, several several organizations spoke out against the verdict in the Giant Gum case. A solidarity action took place at 2:30 p.m. at the Belgian Embassy in The Hague. Among the participants were mostly young people, but KOZP front man Jerry Afrye was also present. Tacky though it is, since he seizes on the tragic event in an attempt to remain relevant, for St. Nicholas is still a long way off.
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