Strict policy or humane treatment? Organizations cast doubt on the Belgian government’s response to the reception crisis
Facing threats in Chad, Mouta sought asylum in Belgium. Despite receiving no response for three months, he was able to rely on his social network to avoid sleeping on the streets. But many others have not been as lucky. The new government aims to tackle the refugee crisis with a stricter migration policy. However, frontline workers doubt its effectiveness.
Mouta is a journalist from Chad. Since 2017, he has been working for Radio Ndarason Internationale, a media platform broadcasting in local languages in the Lake Chad basin to promote peace. Invited by the European authorities to attend a conference in Brussels, he arrived in Belgium last December and never left.
“I had no choice. Chad is in chaos, not just because of the terrorist organization Boko Haram, but also because of the government forces,” he explains and adds, “I was investigating the abduction of civilians by soldiers. Obviously, they didn’t like it much. They threatened me, and my family. They said they would finish me off once I got back.”
No accommodation for men arriving alone
Mouta applied for asylum in Belgium on 5 December 2024. “I had legally entered the country, so I thought it would be quick. But three months later, I have still not had any reply. Recently, my interview at the Immigration Office was postponed for the third time, without any explanation,” he comments bitterly.
“Nearly 3,000 people are waiting for a place to stay” – Ina Vandenberghe, deputy director of Myria
Since submitting his application, the Chadian journalist has been through some difficult times. The Belgian government is no longer offering accommodation to men who enter the country alone due to the massive numbers of migrants. Consequently, Mouta has had to get by on his own to avoid sleeping rough. “Luckily, I had a few contacts here,” he sighs. Some acquaintances temporarily provided him with a place to stay until the end of the process. He thought it would be sorted out in a maximum of three weeks. Well, that didn’t happen. Days passed without any resolution, and the homeowners eventually returned. The flat became too crowded, which led Mouta to move to a flat that was undergoing renovations. “I only had a blanket and a small heater to keep me warm. The electricity often cut out. In the freezing winter, it was nearly intolerable for me, as I’m used to the hot, dry climate of the Sahel,” he recalls, clearly moved.
However, Mouta’s story is far from being an isolated case. Similar to his own situation, thousands of asylum seekers find themselves without accommodation, despite the state’s legal obligation to provide them with shelter. “Nearly 3,000 people are waiting for a place to stay,” says Ina Vandenberghe, deputy director of Myria, the Federal Migration Centre.
According to Caritas International and Myria, Belgium was convicted more than 10,000 times by the courts for its inadequate reception policy under the previous government. However, this had no effect. “It feels like they don’t care,” says Tom Devriendt of Caritas International Belgium. “And the problem has been dragging on for three years.”
De Wever’s government intends to change the current system of lifetime appointments for judges to five-year appointments. The aim is to bring case law into line with “legislative intent.” This is “an attack against the independence of the judiciary,” says Tom Devriendt. “How can asylum seekers expect a fair trial? This goes against the fundamental principles of the rule of law.”
Moreover, the government plans to merge the different asylum-related institutions into one central administration, the FPS (Federal Public Service for) Migration. “This could threaten the independence of the actors within the asylum system,” concludes Ina Vandenberghe of Myria.
For the coalition partners, these measures are intended to make asylum policy more effective.
To curb arrivals, the Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), must put forward practical initiatives. “What will the measures entail? We have no idea at this point,” Myria states. “The law stipulates that applicants are entitled to accommodation that allows them to live in dignity. In the event of a shortage of available places, they can receive assistance from the CPAS (Public Social Welfare Center). The previous government never applied this provision, and the new one may ignore it as well,” continues Ina Vandenberghe.
A tougher immigration policy
However, the Arizona coalition (N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR and Engagés) has prioritized migration. The De Wever government pledged to adopt the toughest migration policy in Belgian history. Wir schaffen das nicht mehr (German for “we can no longer make this work”). Essentially, this is the message that Minister Van Bossuyt has repeated ad infinitum, in every language, on every television program.
“They want to get the reception crisis under control. The problem is: when will the crisis be resolved? And above all: by whom?” – Tom Devriendt, Caritas International Belgium
The measures outlined include a major revision of the reception system. “They intend to reduce the proportion of individual cases and focus more on collective reception. Meanwhile, the number of places will decrease,” explains Tom Devriendt. “But first, they want to get the reception crisis under control. The problem is: when will the crisis be considered as resolved? And above all: by whom and based on which statistics? The minister will have the final say, which raises many questions for the future”.
The government mainly aims to limit migration flows. “Belgium will no longer be a land of milk and honey,” predicts Anneleen Van Bossuyt. “In order for migration to become a force for the better once again […] and to be able to offer a high-quality welcome to refugees who really need it, we must control the influx of migrants,” states the government agreement.
“The priority is to reduce the number of asylum seekers, rather than addressing people’s needs,” says Ina Vandenberghe. Tom Devriendt adds: “1.5 billion euros will be saved on the asylum system and migration. It’s a popular decision, but we believe it’s a misjudgment.”
He believes the Belgian government should invest more in integration so that new arrivals can participate in the economy. “Employers organizations such as Voka are also calling for this. There is a labor shortage.”
The government agreement focuses on economic migration, but Caritas International argues that this is still not enough. “No one should be excluded. The government wants stricter rules. However, integration is not fostered by increasing administrative and financial barriers, but by offering opportunities and freedom.”
Yet there is no guarantee that the proposed measures will have any real impact. “Tightening up reception policy will not prevent Syrians, Afghans or Gazans from trying to save their lives,” warns Ina Vandenberghe. “The need for protection is significant: nearly half of asylum seekers end up being acknowledged as refugees. If a solution is to be found, it will be on a Europe-wide scale.”
“Refugees don’t come here for fun”
Tom Devriendt is also critical: “Politicians fear a ‘pull effect’ if we are more flexible than our neighbors. However, all studies show that there is no such thing. But it’s easier to sell this argument to voters. I can assure you, though, that refugees do not come to Belgium for fun.”
“At least in Belgium, I am alive and safe. I don’t have to fear prison, torture or death.” – Mouta, Chadian journalist in exile
Mouta understands the frustration some Belgians feel about the asylum policy. Recently, he once again saw graffiti claiming that refugees were stealing money from Belgian workers. “Not all of us are taking advantage of the system. Some perhaps, but I had a good life in Chad: a loving family, good friends, a decent salary, a house and a warmer climate. I miss all those things every day. But at least in Belgium, I am alive and safe. I don’t have to fear prison, torture or death.”
Despite the hardships, the journalist has regained hope here, particularly through organizations such as En-GAJE and his volunteer work for the Red Cross. “Belgium is a hospitable country and respects human rights. I hope it stays that way,” he repeats.
Meanwhile, refugees and humanitarian organizations remain in a situation of uncertainty. They skeptically await the implementation of the new migration policy and its practical impact on the lives of people coming to Belgium. Over the coming months, it will become clear whether the government can deliver on its promise of a policy that is both humane and strict, or whether the crisis will continue to drag on.
Note: this article was written by students enrolled in the Master 2 journalism program at ULB, under the supervision of Alexandre Niyungeko and Lailuma Sadid.
