450 asylum seekers from Afghanistan are currently living in an old, empty school in Schaerbeek.
Politically, their situation is surreal and contradictory. These Afghan families are a group of asylum seekers coming from a country in war; they are asking for protection from Belgium as provided by international law. They gather and act as a group because their actions are stronger when they’re united. The Afghan government has told Belgium authorities to send back consenting Afghans. Afghanistan is too dangerous to receive non-consenting Afghans, but if Afghans agree to return to the danger, then they may be sent “home.”
Unsurprisingly, the majority of the asylum seekers in Schaerbeek don’t consent. Thus the Belgian government does not force them to leave but at the same time does not grant them a legal right to stay in Belgium, seek employment, and build decent lives. The group is taking actions and building a support network. Daily news updates, videos, the opportunity to donate, and the chance to sign a petition in favor of the group meeting with Prime Minister Di Rupo are online. Serve the City volunteers are mobilizing to discover the needs of the group, provide activities for the kids, and organize an awareness evening during which neighbors will be invited to a film screening depicting the Afghans’ story.
