Thousands rally in Brussels for fair treatment of undocumented migrants

According to a police estimate, about 1,000 people took part in a rally in Brussels on Sunday afternoon to show support for undocumented migrants. The event, an initiative of the Coordination des Sans Papiers en Belgique, was supported by numerous organisations such as the League for Human Rights, the Francophone anti-racist movement MRAX and Belgium's two largest trade unions CSC/ACV and FGTB/ABVV. The protestors are demanding more fair and open immigration policies, with respect for the rights and dignity of all migrants.

"There are currently at least 150,000 men, women and children living in Belgium without a legal residence. They are vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous landlords and employers. Their fundamental rights, such as housing and employment, are not being respected,” according to the rally initiators.

“As a new wave of migrants comes to Europe, the Belgian authorities have an international obligation to accommodate these people,” the organisers continue. “We want them to stop with the reluctance to grant residence, the use of detention centres and deportation.”