A group of undocumented individuals plans to participate in the 20 km of Brussels race on Sunday to protest against the violation of their rights and challenge perceptions surrounding their immigration status.
“Many things are said about us. We are labelled as illegal and criminal, accused of causing nuisances and being in Belgium solely to exploit the social system,” the group, supported by non-profit organisation ASBL Pigment, emphasised. “Everyone talks about us, but never with us.”
The varying stories of escape and migration among the men, women, and children of all ages, with diverse educational levels, ambitions, dreams and talents, are often dismissed as unimportant, the group contends. It asserts that they are regularly stigmatised as “illegals” in media and political discourse, while their human rights are violated, due to the mere absence of a residency card.
On Sunday, the group will take part in the 20 km of Brussels event to raise awareness on the rights of undocumented persons and confront the stigma attached to irregular migration. Their aim is to illuminate the public on their complex realities.
“No, I cannot obtain residency based on a work contract, even if I can perform a job that is in high demand. No, I cannot obtain documentation just because my children were born here. No, I shall not obtain residency rights even if I have been living in Belgium for ten years and am well integrated. Hearing about ‘regularisation’, everyone starts to raise eyebrows, but in the absence of fair immigration procedures, regularisation is the only solution,” the group said in a joint statement.
It called for “genuine political bravery” ahead of the forthcoming elections.
