by Alberto Galvi –
The Belgian government has imposed a ban on providing asylum to single men, arguing that given insufficient reception capacity, families, women and children take precedence. Long lines of tents on the streets of Brussels, in freezing temperatures in winter, have become a blow to Belgium’s reputation.
Belgium has been criticized for failing to provide sufficient refuge for thousands of people seeking protection from persecution in their home countries. Increasing pressure on housing for asylum seekers is expected in the coming months to prevent children ending up on the street this winter. Instead, single men will have to fend for themselves. The move was met with sharp criticism from human rights organizations.
Over the past two years in the nation of 11.5 million people, the influx of asylum seekers has filled reception centers to a capacity of 33,500 individuals. Last year, Belgium received nearly 37,000 applications for protection from asylum seekers. In addition to asylum seekers, Belgium is also providing aid to some 62,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Last year the courts condemned Fedasil (Federal agency responsible for the reception of asylum seekers) for failing to provide thousands of people with adequate housing. The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner said the lack of places available in reception facilities was harming asylum seekers’ right to health and other basic needs. The main European human rights body has urged the Belgian authorities to provide asylum seekers with better assistance.
