Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Ghent Public Prosecutor’s Office, led by spokeswoman Isabelle De Tandt, joins courts in East and West Flanders to protest pension reforms by delaying non-urgent cases, demanding better justice system funding.
As VRT News reported, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Ghent is joining a coordinated action with police courts across East and West Flanders to protest the introduction of a new pension scheme. They describe this as the “last straw” after years of systemic neglect within the justice system.
According to spokeswoman Isabelle De Tandt, this pension reform adds to a series of issues. These include persistent staff shortages, outdated court infrastructure, delayed digitalisation efforts, and a lack of a clear long-term vision for the judicial system.
He mentioned that these structural deficiencies have put too much pressure on prosecutors and court personnel, which is making it harder to efficiently administer justice. This also threatens the system’s ability to function effectively in the future.
Will the Ghent Public Prosecutor’s office delay non-urgent cases to protest justice system issues?
The Ghent Public Prosecutor’s Office plans to ask for delays in certain court cases. They will postpone cases where no one has been arrested, and there are no urgent actions needed. They won’t delay the important cases.
According to officials, by delaying these unimportant cases, they aim to pressure authorities to fix these problems. This will slow down some court proceedings. However, it’s a form of protest against the lack of resources and modernisation. They want more investment in staff, buildings, and digital tools to ensure justice is delivered quickly and fairly.
Isabelle De Tandt explained that the goal isn’t to stop justice. Instead, they want to show the pressures and problems in the system. They plan to do this by slowing down only those cases where a delay won’t affect the outcome.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has made it clear that their protest isn’t a fixed plan. They will keep an eye on how things develop. They are ready to change how they delay cases. This will depend on what happens in discussions about the future of the justice system.
They mentioned that if there are positive changes, such as more staff, better infrastructure, and updated technology, they might lessen or end the delays. Their actions are flexible. They are willing to return to normal operations if they see real improvements in the justice system.
