Six years after the attacks: “The government has failed to do its homework.”

A week before the sixth anniversary of the 22 March attacks, the government delivered its so-called synthesis document, which was to indicate which recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee (Parlementaire Onderzoekscommissie, POC) had been implemented in the meantime. The list shows that the Vivaldi government has hardly continued to work on the outstanding recommendations. “To our great regret, we have had to conclude that this government has failed to do its homework and has lost sight of the fight against terrorism,” responds N-VA group chairman Peter De Roover.

The synthesis document reached the Chamber no less than a year and a half after the N-VA first asked for it. Just in time for the sixth anniversary of the terrible attacks in Zaventem and Brussels. However, the rather chaotically drafted document revealed that many of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee have still not been fully implemented.

Nothing done on a lot of necessary recommendations

Under the Michel government, a whole series of anti-terrorism measures were taken and work had already started on implementing the Committee’s recommendations. Unfortunately, this drive has been missing for some time in the current federal government, which has meant nothing has been done on a lot of necessary recommendations.

No victim fund, no information sharing

For example, it is still unclear what the situation is with the Crossroads Bank for Security, one of the spearheads of the POC that should make information sharing easier. In addition, after six years, no victim fund has been set up for compensation.

Victims are sent from one place to another

“Victims still have to seek help and support themselves. They are sent from one place to another. Perhaps it would have been better if the government had spent the millions on repatriating the ISIS adepts on the victims instead,” said MP Koen Metsu.

No legislation yet

Moreover, many important objectives with regard to justice have still not been transposed into legislation and have not even been included in the overview, such as the extension of the provision of the sentence enforcement court.

Committee’s work in danger of being lost

And that is just a selection from the long list of unfinished priorities. “Six years after the facts, we have to conclude with a heavy heart that the extensive work of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee is in danger of being lost. Very important lessons were learned regarding the fight against terrorism and the security of our society in general. Therefore, we are calling on the government to make an urgent effort to work on this. We will be a partner in that,” Peter De Roover concludes.