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Belgium: Immigrants occupy church to put pressure on authorities

Manos (IMC UK & Brussels correspondent) | 28.10.2005 10:45 | Migration | World

Since Wednesday, about 20 irregularised immigrants are occupying the Saint-Boniface church, Rue de la Paix at Ixelles (Brussels, Belgium).

They are calling for other irregularised immigrants to join their action to lobby for regularisation for all. Already about another 20 people have joined their ranks.

Ali, the spokesperson of UDEP (Union pour la Défense des Sans-Papiers -- Union for the defense of irregularised immigrants) that is present there, explained that unlike the action of the Iranian immigrants at the church des Minimes, the current occupation is not additionally making use of hunger strikes to put pressure on the political authorities. "Since the government talks about blackmail and disrespect for the democratic decision making process when we use hunger strikes, we have decided to occupy the church without stopping eating, to show them that we do respect democracy", said Ali.

Backgound information (in french):
UDEP Call:  http://216.17.145.89/news/2005/10/322.php
Urgent needs:  http://216.17.145.89/news/2005/10/330.php
Summary of the solidarity groups assembly:
 http://216.17.145.89/news/2005/10/337.php

Manos (IMC UK & Brussels correspondent)

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Belgian Bishops

08.05.2006 13:09

It is a simple matter for the Belgian Bishops to state that Muslim banners be removed or the Islamics may find themselves again on the streets. Islamics are strong in their faith, and Catholics showing weakness for their faith are foolish. And what about the basements of these Catholic homes of worship, are they not available? Catholic churches usually house the Blessed Sacrament and are the Belgian Bishops unaware that nothing is greater and more deserving of honor?

Patricia Samodelova
mail e-mail: PATbosn@aol.com
- Homepage: http://PATbosn@aol.com