Belgian equality body Unia prepares racism complaint against Ghent University researcher Nathan Cofnas

Equality body files anti-racism complaint

Belgium's interfederal equality centre, Unia, is preparing legal proceedings against American researcher Nathan Cofnas over alleged breaches of national anti-racism legislation. The organisation's board of directors approved the court filing last week Thursday, one month after Ghent University initiated an internal disciplinary procedure against him. Unia concluded that Cofnas has repeatedly promoted discriminatory classifications under the guise of scientific inquiry. The independent body also cited potential violations of the United Nations convention against racial discrimination.

“This American philosopher spreads a discourse in our country in which he establishes a hierarchy between people based on allegedly scientific insights, in order to justify discrimination based on origin or skin colour or to promote forms of segregation.”

Disciplinary suspension and academic reaction

Cofnas took up his research post at Ghent University in spring 2026, disseminating his views across podcasts, blog posts, interviews, and a lecture organised by the student association KVHV. Self-identifying as a race realist and a proponent of hereditarianism, Cofnas argues that biological human races exist and differ genetically in intelligence. In August 2026, Ghent University placed him on preventive suspension and initiated formal disciplinary action. That decision followed an online article authored by Cofnas accusing British professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, after which Arday resigned and was found dead shortly afterwards. The university's measures prompted a petition signed by approximately 800 academics who argued that Ghent University should not penalise Cofnas for his expressions. Ghent University rector Petra De Sutter defended the institutional response, maintaining that academic freedom remains fundamental to the university.

Legal hurdles over malicious intent

Unia's planned prosecution aligns with an assessment delivered in March 2026 by Pierre Thiriar, a councillor at the Antwerp Court of Appeal, who concluded that Cofnas' rhetoric violated Belgian anti-racism statutes. However, legal scholars indicate that securing a conviction against an academic involves stringent statutory requirements. Stefan Sottiaux, a professor of discrimination law at the KU Leuven faculty of law, pointed out that Belgian law differentiates controversial discourse from punishable offences.

“The anti-racism law requires malicious intent. The mere dissemination of shocking or even racist opinions is therefore not punishable. That is a guarantee built in to protect freedom of expression.”

Academic staff at Ghent University also express contrasting views regarding the legitimacy of the research. Professor Freddy Mortier asserted during a recent graduation ceremony that Cofnas' theories should not simply be dismissed as pseudoscience. Conversely, other colleagues from his research group maintained that such theories have already been thoroughly examined, criticised, and debunked.

Regulatory complaints and university inquiry

Public reports concerning the researcher have reached both federal and regional watchdogs since his appointment. Over recent months, Unia received nine formal reports about Cofnas, while the Flemish Human Rights Institute logged 13 reports, including several cases transferred directly by Unia. The impending judicial complaint also alters the timeline for Ghent University's internal investigation. Although Rector De Sutter had several months remaining to conduct a preliminary inquiry, the internal university process will pause as soon as official judicial proceedings begin.

Unia9

Flemish Human Rights Institute13

Unia

9 reports

Flemish Human Rights Institute

13 reports

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