Asylum seekers in Belgium find risky shelter in Brussels squat
NOS News•
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Aida Brands
editor Brussels
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Aida Brands
editor Brussels
“Tomorrow you can be vaccinated against diphtheria,” a MSF volunteer tells an asylum seeker at the entrance of a gray, dilapidated building. It is a former office of the Belgian tax authorities in Brussels, which is currently being squatted by about 800 asylum seekers. With outbreaks of diphtheria, tuberculosis and scabies, MSF has launched a vaccination campaign.
The wintry weather in December forced many asylum seekers to hide in vacant buildings in Brussels. But the situation in the squat is far from optimal. For example, a mountain of rubbish has been piled up at the entrance. The waste has not been collected for weeks and that now also has consequences for health.
The spaces in the former tax office are divided by nationality. The squat is run like a business. Almost every nationality has its own manager. Khalid is the manager of the Afghan refugees because he is one of the few who speak English. He has worked in Afghanistan for the Belgian defense, he says. After a long journey through Serbia and Bulgaria, among others, he ended up in Belgium.
The first 25 days he sleeps on the street and now he has been staying in the squat for about six weeks. Because there is a structural shortage of reception places, only 200 asylum seekers can submit an application per day. Families and unaccompanied minors are given priority. Adult men like Khalid have to wait on the street for weeks. Even if they have calculated, they will not automatically receive a shelter.
Now he sleeps on a mattress in a room with three other men. Khalid gives a tour of the building in his slippers. He shows where the shower rooms are. Although the refugees are well distributed and there is a clear division of tasks, there are visible problems. Many toilets are clogged and the shower room is completely empty.
Because no garbage is collected, the garbage cans are overflowing. Still, Khalid has no clutter. He tells a compatriot that even a broom should be brought through the hall. “We are in Belgium, we have to be neat and abide by the rules.”
Khalid introduces us to his colleague Jean (39). He is the manager for the Burundians and takes care of safety, food and hygiene. Jean found the vacant building at the end of September and then squatted it.
He too has his hands full running the illegal shelter. He is constantly described, often by compatriots who need his help, but he is also the suspect for volunteers who bring food.
Jean is much less than Khalid. One night has ensured that he does not have to take away from a few men. A week ago that he himself was injured when he had to separate two fighting asylum seekers. Not only asylum seekers know how to find the squat: drug addicts and dealers can also be solved. It causes Jean a lot of stress. “I have fled a physical war, but the violence here keeps the war in my head.”
Express do little
Tine Claus, director of Refugee Work Flanders, is angry with the Belgian government, which seems unable to find a solution to the problem. The fact that about 800 people are currently staying here and receiving food is mainly due to the many volunteers who bring meals, clothing and mattresses. “These are all forms of help that should be offered by the government,” says Claus. Various organizations are responsible for the government, assuming they have little to do, in order to make Belgium as unattractive as possible for asylum seekers.
This strategy seems to be working. Khalid advises people to apply for asylum in Belgium. “Don’t come here. You better try in bigger countries like France or Germany.” He started his asylum procedure this week and hopes to be able to stay in Belgium.
Jean is already a bit further into the procedure. He especially hopes to be able to get a work permit quickly, only then can his situation really change.
The European Union has clear agreements about a fair distribution of asylum seekers across the continent. But the riot around rescue ship Ocean Viking showed that solidarity between the all-encompassing is far from being found.
How one ship showed the streets in European asylum policy