Last modified: 2001-04-19 by ivan sache
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Translation of an article published in De Standaard (2 November 1999):
"Black, yellow, red, starting from the pole. That's how we've always known the Belgian flag. But if you read the Constitution, this isn't correct, says Karel Rimanque, professor at the Univerisity of Antwerpen. Article 193 of the so often revised Constitution still says:
The Belgian Nation chooses as its colours red, yellow and black.
Rimanque: "In 1830 too, they used to describe the flag starting from the pole. Thus, our flag is different: red at the pole, yellow in the middle, and black at the fly.'' Does this mean that the Constitution has been broken for all 168 years? Was it interpreted wrongly at the beginning and did nobody ever notice the error? "Anyway, either we have to correct this article, or we have to correct our flag,'' says Karel Rimanque.
Filip Van Laenen, 2 November1999
In a painting from c. 1832 of the Post Office Packet P.S. Salamander and the topsail schooner Union off Ostend, there are two flags flying from buildings on shore.
David Prothero, 30 November 1999
Until now, Belgium did not have a law protecting the flag against disrespectful use of the flag, like e.g. burning or stepping on it. A proposal to protect the flag is underway.
The national confederation of the political prisonners and
right-having of Belgium wanted a change in this situation. Two
Walloon deputies, Duquesne from the PRL (Parti réformateur
libéral) and Mairesse from the PSC (Parti
social-chrétien) made a proposal to complete the penal
code to protect the national flag of Belgium.
An Article 282 bis would punish to jail from eight days up to one
year and a 100 to 1,000 Francs fine (times 60 [the actual multiplier]
= 6,000 to 60,000 FB, making it an equivalent to US$200 to US$2,000)
anybody who, during a public demonstration or in any place open to
the public, would voluntarily show disrespect for the national flag,
by tearing it, setting it on fire, speaking about it in a degrading
manner, or by delivering it to injuring acts.
(in French: " [toute personne qui aura] volontairement manqué
de respect à l'égard du drapeau national en le
lacérant, ou en y mettant le feu, ou en proférant des
paroles dégradantes, ou en se livrant à des actes ou
gestes injurieux ")
Source: La Libre Belgique, May 14, 1997.
[Personal comment: it has become some sort of a tradition to step on the Belgian national flag or to tear in parts in pro-Flemish demonstrations, to express the wish to end the Belgian State. I do not think it is a coincidence that this proposal was made by two Walloon deputies.]
Filip Van Laenen, 16 May 1997