BRUSSELS – The advocacy group for children without legal papers (Beweging voor Kinderen zonder Papieren) is organising a demonstration against the detention of children in closed asylum centres. The protest will take place at the Centre for Illegals in Merksplas on 15 April.

This was announced during a meeting with the press at the medical advice centre in Louvain on Thursday.

The organisers have the full support of child psychiatrist Peter Adriaenssens, who voiced sharp criticism of Home Affairs Minister Patrick Dewael. On any given day about 50 children are being kept in detention for some period of time (up to several months) in a closed asylum centre.

The number comes to about 600 each year. The advocacy group says this practice is in direct violation of the UN’s treaty on children’s rights and has a detrimental effect on the psychosocial development of the children. They become emotionally traumatised and lose trust in their environment.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news