Asylum seeker sets himself alight in Fedasil loo

Some 200 people demonstrated in the streets of Brussels on Sunday in favour of a regularisation for undocumented people. The demonstration was the second in the Belgian capital in only three days and follows the self-immolation of an asylum seeker at Fedasil last week.

Sunday's lively protest proceeded in a party atmosphere with music and dance. It was organised by the capital's Latin American, North African and Afghan communities.

Protesters say that they live and work in Brussels and want to be recognised as full citizens.

A Peruvian demonstrator told VRT News that the demonstrators were denouncing what he called the irresponsible policies of the Belgian authorities adding:

"You have to know there are thousands of undocumented people, thousands of people who are being exploited."

Self-immolation at Fedasil

It was the second protest by undocumented people in Brussels in only three days. On Friday seventy people gathered outside the Immigration Department after an asylum seeker from Guinea set himself alight in the toilets at the Belgian asylum agency Fedasil the previous day.

The 25-year-old asylum seeker died as a result. During the protest thirty demonstrators forced themselves into the offices demanding an explanation for what happened. The Guinean had been informed that he had no further recourse to an appeal. He had been visiting Fedasil for a while in order to receive medical treatment.

 

Top stories