ECRI rapporteert over de aanpak van België
Belgium could do better in its treatment of migrants without papers, a new report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) finds. In some migrant services, though, the country has made progress since the last report in 2013.
“Progress has been made in a number of areas,” begins ECRI’s 6th report on Belgium which was published on March 18. However, “despite the progress achieved, some issues continue to give rise for concern,” cautions the report.
In 2019 there were over one million foreigners living in Belgium. The majority of those were from within the EU — French, Dutch and Italian people make up the bulk of foreign nationals living within the country.
There is no official data available on the number of irregular migrants in Belgium, the report notes. The migrant and refugee aid association Ciré estimates there are around 100,000 to 150,000 undocumented migrants present in Belgium — which constitutes about 1% of the population.
Life difficult for undocumented migrants
Belgium authorities need to work harder on protecting the rights of undocumented migrants, for example, if they have been the victims of crime, ECRI writes in their press release.
At the moment, some service providers are reporting those who come to them without papers to the authorities, something which contravenes victims’ rights, whoever they may be, writes ECRI.
Since ECRI’s last report in 2013, Belgium service providers have set up “a number of firewall mechanisms” which allow everyone to enjoy fundamental access to health care and education — regardless of whether they are registered within the country — “without the fear of being reported or deported.” These mechanisms stop social service providers from sharing data with the authorities on any migrants who may be present without papers in the country, the report states.
Anti-discrimination monitoring needs to increase
However, the monitoring of anti-discrimination still lacks clout. The committee responsible for monitoring anti-discrimination laws which ensure that these fundamental rights are upheld should also be given enough money to carry out its task, advised ECRI.
The report also noted that there is “no independent body set up to guard against discrimination on the grounds of language despite the fact that the establishment of such a body is provided for by the relevant legislation.”
Problems with integration and education
In the field of education, ECRI says that having spoken to teachers in schools, many of them feel “helpless or abandoned when it comes to managing diversity in the classroom.” Within the school setting there is also a “general lack of any preventative approach towards harassment in schools.”
The wearing of headscarves in schools, notes the report, is already subject of “a very intense debate,” within Belgium.
On a more general level, ECRI advised Belgium that it needs to expand its integration schemes to promote cultural diversity and discourage discrimination instead of just focusing on learning the languages of the country and promoting integration.
The report criticized the authorities’ general approach, which was to fine people and sanction them rather than offer encouragements and incentives, in order to integrate.
