Unia goes to Constitutional Court against ‘Brussels Digital’ order

The ordinance was approved in February. Although Unia is not against digitization per se, the group fears that some vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, the elderly and residents of Brussels with low skills, could lose access to essential services.

Article 13

The conflict mainly revolves around Article 13 of the decree, which states that, in addition to digital channels, physical counters and telephone services must also be maintained. But an additional provision allows governments to eliminate these services if they cost too much, without clearly defining exactly what these “disproportionate burdens” are.

According to Unia and the groups involved, this creates uncertainty and can lead to the exclusion of less digitally skilled citizens. Studies show that 40% of Belgians and 70% of low-skilled residents in Brussels are digitally vulnerable.

Poor sickle

Unia emphasizes that the elimination of physical options can affect not only people with disabilities, but also other vulnerable groups. “In the Brussels-Capital Region, studies have shown that populations from the ‘poor crescent’ are at high risk of facing digital exclusion;” explains Els Keytsman, director of Unia.

Unia and civil society groups are arguing for clearer provisions requiring governments to maintain physical counters and non-digital alternatives. “Without the intervention of the Constitutional Court, the vulnerable public will be even more vulnerable. Unia wants sections that are not clear enough to replace articles with clear and detailed descriptions of alternatives to digital,” said Keytsman.