Belgium's new reception rules for asylum seekers, which went into force at the start of August, are already leading to families with children sleeping rough in Brussels.
Since 4 August, Belgium's asylum reception agency Fedasil has been authorised to refuse asylum to those who have already received protection in another European country. The measure is part of what the Federal Government calls the country's "strictest asylum and migration policy ever."
"Yesterday, Refugee Action Flanders staff met the first victims of this measure. Among them was an Afghan family with three young children who sought assistance from our legal helpdesk. Staff tried to arrange emergency shelter, but without success," a press release stated on Thursday.
'Ending asylum shopping'
From the outset, Refugee Action was particularly critical of what it called an "ill-considered reception policy" by Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). With these measures, she aims to stop "asylum shopping."
The term describes an asylum seeker transiting from one EU Member State where they may have already asked for asylum to another Member State to apply again. A more in-depth explanation can be found here.
Critics have described the term as "problematic," because they say it implies that claiming asylum is a voluntary choice based on complete awareness of how the system works.
Fedasil sign. Monday 25 January 2016. Credit: Belga
In practice, however, it often concerns people who received a quick positive decision in Greece but have no access to work, housing, or education there – pushing them to continue their journey.
"Their situation is hopeless, forcing them to travel further in search of safety," the organisation said, adding that it is "unimaginable" and "callous" that a family with young children in Brussels is literally being left out on the street.
A staff member said that the family did not know what to do when they heard that there was no shelter available. "A little later, I saw them on the street, with no idea where to go. The mother was keeping her children away from the busy traffic on the inner ring road. They were scared, tired, and disoriented."
Refugee Action is calling on the Federal Government to immediately reverse this measure, stating that families with children who apply for asylum in Belgium should always be given shelter. "Refusing shelter is never in the best interest of the child – especially not when it is their only refuge."
