« I don’t have to wait for the conclusions of the P. »

Solayman Laqdim, the French-speaking children’s rights commissioner in our country, is particularly critical of the police pursuit that led to the death of 11-year-old Fabian. « I should not wait and see the conclusions of Committee P to say that his rights have been very clearly violated, » he told the RTBF.

The death of Fabian Cernelevschi, the 11-year-old Moldovan boy who died after being hit by a police car on his electric scooter, is not an isolated incident, emphasizes Solayman Laqdim in the Radio Program studio Matin premiere. “I am particularly worried because his death is part of a long series: there was the death of Mehdiby Ouassim and Sabrinaby Ibrahima,,, Mawda,,, Adil… the list is long, « said the children’s rights commissioner.

According to Laqdim, the police are guilty of ethnic profiling. Since his appointment in February 2023 as a children’s rights commissioner, Laqdim received 20 to 25 reports from police violence against minors. « This is only about children with a diverse background, » says Laqdim.

According to him, the police all too often work « very violently », quoting the example of a 9-year-old child who was restrained on his stomach. Moreover, none of the young people involved committed facts that are qualified as a crime, says Laqdim. « The problem of ethnic profiling exists and we must have the courage to denounce it, » concludes the children’s rights commissioner.

“Give agents the necessary means to perform their duties properly. And build in a strong children’s right reflex. A police action must be proportional, justified, legal and especially appropriate”

Solayman Laqdim

French -speaking children’s rights commissioner

Laqdim also notes that there is a sense of impunity when it comes to reports of police violence. Of the 3,000 reports per year, « 90 to 95 percent » remains without consequences. According to Laqdim, the result is an imminent breach of trust between the police and Brussels youth.

In addition to naming problems, Laqdim also offers possible solutions. « Give agents the necessary means to perform their duties properly. And build in a strong children’s right reflex. A police action must be proportional, justified, legal and especially appropriate. A child does not treat you like an adult. Because they are children, they are vulnerable, » emphasizes Laqdim.

“I believe that we should not underestimate the symbolic meaning of what happened yesterday for trust in our institutions. I encourage the Minister of the Interior (Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), ed.)the federal government, mayors and police chiefs to take this into account, « says Laqdim.

According to the children’s rights commissioner, young people from so -called problem neighborhoods are not against the police, even though many think so. « Such young people are the first victims of the problems in their neighborhood, and of stigmatization. They want the police to guarantee public safety, but in a respectful and ethical way. People simply ask for respect, » concludes the children’s rights commissioner.