2023-09-05 17:46:00
The years pass and look alike, in Schaerbeek, where the months to come are likely to be even more than tense. And for good reason, this Tuesday morning, the ecologist alderman, Sihame Haddioui slammed the door of the municipal college, asking his fellow aldermen and the mayor an ultimatum. Either the elected officials take a structural decision as to the physical presence of Michel De Herde (Défi) in the Schaerbeek administration, or the young alderwoman will no longer ensure the quorum – already systematically undermined during each council.
Michel De Herde (Defi) charged with rape of a minor under sixteen, a minor over sixteen and possession of child pornography
As a reminder, Sihame Haddioui filed a complaint once morest his colleague, in May 2022, for violation of sexual integrity and sexism. Following this, several testimonies and complaints have flourished concerning the amaranth city councilor, charged last February with rape of a minor under sixteen, a minor over sixteen and possession of child pornography.
But on his return from vacation, Sihame Haddioui finds that his alleged attacker was still occupying his office in the administration, although he had been stripped of all his skills. “It’s a bit of a surprise, advances the alderman of Equal Opportunities, he is in representation with his chief of staff when he no longer has skills, including on social networks. There is no transparency from the February pledges.” Last winter, the Schaerbeek executive took, following the revelations of charges published in La DH, the decision to dismiss the alderman from the council and the college.
Brussels – Schaerbeek: Place Collignon – Siham Haddioui demonstrates, during the municipal council, with several feminist associations to demand the departure of Michel De Herde from the municipality. The demonstration follows the filing of a complaint by Siham Haddioui once morest the Schaerbeek alderman Michel de Herde for sexual harassment. (JC Guillaume) ©JC Guillaume
courage and will
So Sihame Haddioui is moving up a gear, and not going with the back of the spoon, including with her colleagues, including with her party. “I accuse the college of aldermen of sheer negligence, if they are forced to have an office, then let’s change it. There, he keeps his superb. This college fails on every level, politically, but it is also negligent with administration. The message is not clear at the level of his posture. Two things he lacks: courage, first. There is a Cohesio study that had to be pulled out of college. Its conclusions show that nearly one in two employees has been confronted with or witnessed acts. There is a colossal responsibility of the college, but no courage. Admittedly, there are structural solutions underway, a plan will be presented, but I was hardly consulted. The other is political will. We are facing two parties which are in the local and regional majority. Ecolo is a cantor of feminism, Défi has the presidency of the French-speaking women’s council and the Ministry of Local Authorities. Despite this, we are still unable to protect the administration.”
“It may be badly made, but it’s the law”
On the side of the cabinet of the acting mayor, Cécile Jodogne (Défi), it is estimated that what had to be done has been done, and the course of action has not changed much. “I understand the injury for Sihame Haddioui, confides the spokesperson for the mayor. But no one has the ability to do anything else. We do not have the possibility of withdrawing the title of alderman from Mr. De Herde. The law may be badly made, but it is the law.” Clearly, Michel De Herde has lost his skills while his chief of staff (president of Défi Schaerbeek, moreover) remains attached to the portfolios (entrusted to Cécile Jodogne, Frédéric Nimal and Deborah Lorenzino since February) and not to the elected , who nevertheless has the right to occupy his office. However, the municipal employees were instructed to respond to the injunctions of the aldermen who inherited the skills of the accused, not of Michel De Herde.
Accusations of rape of a minor: Schaerbeek dismisses Michel De Herde from the council, the college, and the municipal administrations
Michel De Herde, meanwhile, has been going to his office once or twice a week since last spring. And this exclusively to answer his emails or forward them to the aldermen who have taken over his skills. “If it’s a citizen request, I also transfer. It takes me regarding twice thirty minutes a week. I also continue to keep up to date with municipal news, so read college agendas, college or council minutes when there are any. I don’t receive anyone in my office. If Sihame Haddioui issues an ultimatum, it is his responsibility, but I think – without being a lawyer – that his request is pointless. Moreover, the investigating judge did not prohibit me from practicing, when he might have.”
By reopening this file, Sihame Haddioui, who will no longer be a candidate for Schaerbeek in 2024, intends to raise the question of the place of victims of gender violence and their protection. “I seek to make people realize that inaction is social and political rehabilitation.” At the cost, no doubt, of going a step further in the political deadlock that occupies the majority of the city of donkeys.
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