Mandate and powers
Unia has a mandate in Belgium as an equality body to combat discrimination and promote equality. As a human rights body, we protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Mandate as an equality body
Unia's mandate as an equality body was established in 2013 in a cooperation agreement between the federal government, the regions and the communities. Therefore Unia reports to the parliaments that have signed this cooperation agreement. We fight discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes.
Mandate as a watchdog for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Belgium
In 2011, Unia was mandated as an independent body by the federal government, communities and regions to protect, promote and ensure compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in Belgium:
- We inform persons with disabilities and all relevant organisations and associations about the existence of the UN Convention, its purpose and the rights it guarantees.
- We ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected. When people file a report on a discrimination, we provide independent legal advice and guidance.
- We examine whether legislation, policies and practices in Belgium comply with the Convention.
To fulfil our mission, we have established 2 bodies within Unia:
Open Disability/CRPD Cell
The Disability/CRPD Cell is responsible, in line with the international Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), for the promotion, protection and follow-up of the Convention in collaboration with the various Unia services.
Find out more:
Open Consultative Commission
The Consultative Commission ensures the representation and participation of civil society. It is composed of representatives of disability associations, academia and social partners. The Consultative Commission helps Unia by identifying concerns on the ground and making strategic policy choices.
Mandate as watchdog for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Belgium
In 2000, Unia was designated as the responsible body for handling reports of racism under the New York International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965).
To fulfil our mission, we have established 2 bodies:
Open Racism/ CERD cell
The Racism/ CERD cell is responsible, in line with the international Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), for the promotion, protection and follow-up of the Convention in cooperation with the various departments of Unia.
Open Consultative Commission
The Consultative Commission ensures the representation and participation of civil society. The Consultative Commission assists Unia in carrying out its mission by identifying concerns on the ground and making strategic policy choices.
Powers of Unia
Unia is competent at both the federal level and at the level of the federated entities.
In Flanders, the situation has changed since 2023.
We remain competent for cases concerning:
- discrimination:
- at work
- in shops, hospitality establishments and commercial activities (e.g. fitness centres)
- by insurance companies and banks
- in justice, detention and police matters (including cases of discrimination by federal and non-Flemish officials)
- in the military
- on public transport (with the exception of De Lijn): the SNCB/NMBS, TEC and STIB/MIVB, airline companies …
- negationism (denial of the Holocaust and genocides recognised by an international court)
- hate speech (e.g. on Facebook, X…)
- hate crimes (crimes with a hate motive)
We are no longer competent for discrimination in education, the rental market and other matters now handled by Flanders. For reports in those areas, you should contact the VMRI. Please note: in other regions and communities, Unia remains competent for all areas.
Report discrimination
Do you feel you have experienced or witnessed discrimination? Report it online or call the toll-free number 0800 12 800 on weekdays between 9.30 a.m. and 1 p.m.