- Feb 5, 2002
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Brussels police were ordered to shut down a conference for right-wing politicians, including Brexiteer Nigel Farage and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday.
People were stopped from entering the National Conservatism Conference a few hours after it began, organisers said - although it continued for those inside.
The local mayor said he issued the order to ensure public security.
Organisers of the conference said they "overcame attempts to silence" them.
They said they plan to continue with the conference on Wednesday, writing: "See you again tomorrow!" on X, formerly Twitter.
Hungary's Mr Orban - who is due to speak there - has reacted with indignation, posting on Facebook: "Brussels just moved up a gear. If anyone stands up for peace, they are simply banned.
"No question, on 9 June we have to say clearly: No War!" he added, referring to the date of the European elections.
The move to shut down the conference was also criticised by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who called it "unacceptable".
"Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop," Mr De Croo wrote on X.
Referring to the fact that it was the local mayor, Emir Kir, who opposed the conference, Mr De Croo said that while municipal autonomy was a cornerstone of Belgium's democracy, it could "never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech".
Continued below.
www.bbc.com
People were stopped from entering the National Conservatism Conference a few hours after it began, organisers said - although it continued for those inside.
The local mayor said he issued the order to ensure public security.
Organisers of the conference said they "overcame attempts to silence" them.
They said they plan to continue with the conference on Wednesday, writing: "See you again tomorrow!" on X, formerly Twitter.
Hungary's Mr Orban - who is due to speak there - has reacted with indignation, posting on Facebook: "Brussels just moved up a gear. If anyone stands up for peace, they are simply banned.
"No question, on 9 June we have to say clearly: No War!" he added, referring to the date of the European elections.
The move to shut down the conference was also criticised by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who called it "unacceptable".
"Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop," Mr De Croo wrote on X.
Referring to the fact that it was the local mayor, Emir Kir, who opposed the conference, Mr De Croo said that while municipal autonomy was a cornerstone of Belgium's democracy, it could "never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech".
Continued below.
National Conservatism Conference: Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels event
Attendees were not being allowed into the National Conservatism Conference after the mayor ordered it to shut.
www.bbc.com
