On 29 February 2024 we gave a lecture at the VUB (Free University of Brussels) on the issue of hate speech and freedom of expression. We have been invited once more by professor Fabienne Brison to explore with the VUB-students the blurred line between the right to freedom of expression and robust (political) debate vs. the criminalisation of public incitement to sexism, hatred, discrimination or violence. Starting from the principle of freedom of expression as guaranteed by Articles 18, 25 and 150 of the Belgian Constitution and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the characteristics and impact are presented of the Belgian antiracism law (1981), the law on holocaust denial (1995), the anti-discrimination legislation and the law against sexism (2014). The application of the legal provisions is illustrated with multiple references to Belgian case law and relevant jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, such as the recent Grand Chamber judgment in Sanchez v. France (our blog here and see also the fact sheet on hate speech here).