No. Cannibalism is not explicitly legal in Belgium but falls under broader criminal statutes. Consent does not nullify prosecution under Article 393 of the Belgian Penal Code (homicide) or Article 405 (torture). The 2026 draft amendments to the Penal Code propose stricter “bodily integrity” clauses, potentially closing loopholes in assisted self-harm cases. Local prosecutors in Brussels and Antwerp have invoked public order laws to deter such acts, citing 2024 case law (C-2024/AB/12).
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Belgium
- Article 393 Penal Code: Prohibits homicide, including cases where the victim consents, treating consent as irrelevant to criminal liability.
- Article 405 Penal Code: Criminalizes torture or inhuman treatment, applicable to acts involving bodily harm or mutilation for consumption.
- 2026 Penal Code Amendments: Expands “bodily integrity” protections, with draft language explicitly targeting acts of self-consumption or mutual harm, pending parliamentary approval.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (Parquet fédéral) has prioritized enforcement in cases involving online solicitations or organized groups, leveraging the 2023 Law on Cybercrime to monitor digital platforms. Belgian courts have historically treated such acts as aggravated assault or murder, regardless of circumstantial consent. Local ethics committees, such as the Comité d’Éthique de l’ULB, have condemned the practice as a violation of human dignity under the European Convention on Human Rights.