Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brussels (Agenzia Fides) – It is the drama of the illegal workers, the so-called “sans papiers” (without documents), which has erupted in Belgium as well, where an illegal immigrant protesting on top of a crane at a construction site in Brussels fell off and was seriously injured after a drop of nearly 10 meters.
The man is recuperating in the hospital and luckily, is not in danger of death. The worker fell as he tried to get down, after 6 hours of arguing with the police. It is the first accident since the beginning of the protest that has been taking place for some time among the “sans papiers” of Belgium, who in order to obtain permission for temporary residence have been taking over cranes, climbing up to 80 meters as a sign of their protest.
Thanks to a court order made in recent days, a group of 25 “sans papiers” were convinced to abandon 3 cranes at a work site in downtown Brussels. There are at least two other work sites that are being occupied by an unsure number of immigrants who hope to obtain a temporary renewal (another 9 months) of their residence through their protests. There are a total of somewhere between 100-150,000 “sans papiers.”
The problem for these people is a political question. According to the Progress Lawyers Network, “two hours of legal work and 5 minutes of political courage would be enough” to regulate the “sans papiers.” The political system in Belgium, however, is blocked due to strong regional clashes, between Walloons and Flemish, and the problem of these people seems to have been left on the back burner.
The Bishops of Belgium have intervened in their defense, reminding all involved of the fundamental rights of the human person. “The political crisis that is affecting our country should not lead us to ignore the desperate plight of many immigrants without permissions of residence,” said Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and President of the Belgian Bishops’ Conference. The Cardinal addressed the political leaders calling for a “policy that is realistic, just, and generous.” The Catholic Church has been assisting the illegal immigrants in Belgium for some time now. For example, in 2006, the Bishops launched an appeal for the “sans papiers” asking that they end their hunger-strike for nearly 150 illegal immigrants claiming asylum. The Bishops affirm that they “understand the desperation of those who decide to take similar measures,” but that this form of protest is “morally unacceptable” because of the risks it implies. The Bishops also urged the pastors of the parishes (occupied by these people) “not to contact the police if it is not a case of extreme health emergency.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 31/7/2008)
