Some 250 people demonstrated in Brussels on Thursday afternoon to protect the rights of migrants and calling for social justice and freedom of movement. The demonstrators denounced Europe’s policy of ‘safe management’ of borders and people, and the criminalisation and marginalisation of undocumented migrants. The demonstration started out at Maximilian Park, in front of the Immigration Office, where a number of Slovak Roma families with children have been camping since they were evicted from their homes last week. The procession then headed off for Place du Luxembourg in the European neighbourhood.
“In light of the migrant tragedies we have seen over the past months, we completely reject the unsuitable solutions decided by the European Council at its emergency meeting last April 23rd. These 10-point plans are nothing more than a continuation of long-standing policies, policies which have brought about the human catastrophes we have seen recently,” declared the organisers of the demonstration, CISPM (International Coalition of Undocumented Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers).
“This unacceptable situation will only be resolved if there is a fundamental change of policy that will make social justice, freedom of movement and settlement a priority. These represent the only effective way to stop such tragedies happening again,” added CISPM.
(Source: Belga)
