Afghan asylum seekers demand meeting with prime minister

Hundreds of Afghan asylum seekers are enduring the cold, wet weather as they protest in Mons to force Belgium’s Prime Minister Ellio di Rupo to meet with them.

More than 300 protesters marched from Brussels to Mons this weekend, where di Rupo is also the town’s mayor, and set-up camp in front of the city hall to demand they be allowed to stay in Belgium and become residents.

The Afghans say they will remain until the prime minister grants them an audience. So far, di Rupo has made no contact, but city officials say that the cases will immediately be reviewed. 

The asylum seekers have already gained support from Belgium’s Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard following their occupation of a Brussels’ church. 

An earlier protest in October ended with several arrests and violent confrontations with police.

Prime Minister di Rupo is expected back in Belgium today after a trip abroad.