Asylum registration centre moves to busy Rue Belliard

Belgium’s asylum registration centre is being forced to relocate from Boulevard Pacheco, near Botanique, to the capital’s near-motorway, Rue Belliard in the EU district, for 18 months.

The move has been much criticised by the non-profit organisation that supports refugees, Vriendschap Zonder Grenzen/Amitié sans Frontières.

“We need to find another final location for the visa application office. This is still being sought as part of the federal government’s negotiations,” a spokesperson for Nicole de Moor, the outgoing federal minister for asylum and migration said.

“The intention is to find a place where the Immigration Office (IBZ-SPF), Fedasil and the Guardianship Service can work together. This will enable us to work as efficiently as possible,” she said, adding that the new site would likely still be in the capital, as “Brussels is the logical place for it”.

However, Amitié Sans Frontières argues that the new spot for the reception centre is unsuitable.

“Rue Belliard is far too busy,” said the organisation’s Riet Dhont. While cars and cyclists speed past, “the refugees are squeezed between the crowd barriers and against the wall,” she added.

Users of the centre agree, telling Bruzz “it is too much busy, with too much bikes and too much cars”.

Dhont also complained about access to the building. For example, the step up to the door is too high for a wheelchair. In addition, she said that the new location makes it difficult to continue organising the weekly breakfasts on Fridays.

However, de Moor's spokesperson said the move to the new location has gone well: “The service continues to run smoothly. Measures have also been taken in close consultation with mayor Philippe Close and the local police, such as the decision to erect fencing.

“On busy days, the police can also be present to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” she continued, adding that there will be an evaluation of the move in the coming weeks.

The vacated asylum centre on Boulevard Pacheco will become a new site for KU Leuven. The university is planning to open a new student campus, with auditoriums, a library, practical classrooms, roof gardens and meeting rooms.

It will cover a total area of 21,000m². There may also be space for student accommodation, communal dining and living areas.