Belgium: Immigrants occupy church to put pressure on authorities

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