Following the evacuation of the so-called Schaerbeek squat in Rue des Palais in Brussels, between 150 and 200 people who lived in the now-locked building spent the night on the street opposite the Petit Château, the arrival centre managed by the Federal Government reception agency Fedasil.
The former occupants of the squat – which mainly include asylum seekers legally entitled to shelter – joined the roughly 50 people already living along the canal, the 'Stop the reception crisis' association, which brings together several associations and human rights groups, announced.
"Volunteers and neighbours handed out blankets. As the evening progressed, tents were also brought in following an appeal on social media," said the association on Thursday morning.
Many of these people were wearing the blue armband issued by the authorities, which was supposed to indicate that their holders were entitled to shelter when the squat in the Rue de Palais was evacuated – meaning those people were promised a place to stay when the building was closed on Wednesday. Yet last night, they found themselves on the street.
The social workers and volunteers who were present during the two days of the evacuation of the squat denounced a "chaotic and inadequate approach" by the authorities.
"It shows unprecedented cynicism. It is unacceptable that so little consideration is given to people who are definitely entitled to shelter. Solutions must be found urgently and that is only a matter of political will," one volunteer, Sacha, told Bruzz.
Currently, the Quai des Charbonnages is full of tents on both sides of the canal; towards Place Sainctelette, the shared pedestrian and cycle path is now also filled with at least 60 tents.
Related News
- 'Kafkaesque': 163 asylum seekers moved from Schaerbeek squat to Flemish hotel
- 'Shameful fiasco': Evacuation of Schaerbeek squat denounced
- Evacuation of Schaerbeek squat: Buses take residents to new shelters
"Yesterday, people without shelter went from the Rue de Palais to Petit Chateau. As long as the situation for people without shelter remains hopeless, this scenario will repeat itself," stressed Thomas Willekens, Policy Officer at Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen (Refugee Work Flanders), on Twitter. "Structural solutions and cooperation are needed."
He stressed that there is a need for a solution for all people who are legally entitled to receive shelter. "The solutions are there. It is a matter of political will to work them out."
