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JRS-Belgium
in national demonstration in Brussels for undocumented migrants
ON 29 JUNE, a national demonstration was held in
Brussels in support of undocumented migrants.
The demonstration was organised by Forum Asile et
Migrations (FAM), of which JRS-Belgium is a member, in
cooperation with other human rights NGOs, trade unions,
lawyers, local churches and undocumented persons. The
organisers sought to push the government to publish the
long-awaited administrative guidelines for the criteria
on the regularisation of residency status. The
1,500-strong crowd voiced its solidarity with some 150
hunger strikers in the Béguinage church in Brussels.
According to human rights NGOs in Belgium, the current
criteria concerning the regularisation of undocumented
migrants are considered opaque and incoherent. The
absence of clear and fair criteria leads to arbitrary
law. The status of some is regularised while others in
similar circumstances are detained and deported. Many
undocumented migrants in Belgium are unable to return to
their countries of origin and as they are denied the
right to work and social benefits become destitute. |
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Demonstrators take to the streets
in Brussels. |
A couple of days after the demonstration, 1 July,
the undocumented migrants, who had been on hunger strike
for more than 50 days, received 9-month residence
permits. They received what is known as a C work permit
which allows them to find employment in any sector of
the economy. Those who obtain employment or establish
their won businesses will become eligible for a
residency permit.
The migrants had been pushed to the edge, physically and
morally. Some were hospitalised, suffering from kidney
problems, but their conditions were not thought to be
life-threatening.
On 15 July, the campaign to convince the government
suffered a further set back when the government fell.
The coalition of French and Dutch-speaking Liberal and
Christian Democrat parties, only four months after
taking office, fractured after missing a self-imposed
July 15 deadline for getting an agreement on regional
autonomy and on splitting a disputed voting district. |
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Jesuit Refugee Service Europe -
Rue du Progrès (Vooruitgangstraat) 333/2 - B-1030 Bruxelles -
Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 250 32 20 - Fax: + 32 2 250 32 29 - Email: europe(a)jrs.net |
