Belgian Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Flemish nationalist N-VA - pictured) is opposed to allowing 13 Palestinians from Gaza to come and study in Belgium, despite the fact that they have been awarded a scholarship and a visa, she told VRT NEWS. Some students have been waiting for two years to come here, but the government does not seem to be in any hurry to make a decision.
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Migration Minister Van Bossuyt challenges right of 13 Palestinian students to come to Belgium
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Last week, VRT NEWS spoke to several Palestinian students from Gaza who are not welcome in Belgium despite possessing a visa and a scholarship.
According to Rector Herwig Leirs of the University of Antwerp, it is simply a matter of political will as to whether or not this is made possible.
‘I see it as my duty to warn of the possible consequences,’ says Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, who is worried about a domino effect. She is the first minister to speak out on the issue.
“It is suggested that this only concerns 13 people, but we must not forget the domino effect. This is about 13 people coming here. They may seek family reunification or apply for asylum here. Because on a student visa, you are obliged to return home afterwards.”
Van Bossuyt wonders why people from Yemen, Sudan or Afghanistan could not do the same. “Why shouldn’t that apply to people from Yemen or Sudan? Or Afghan girls who want to study here?”
“I consider it my duty to warn against this,” Van Bossuyt said.
“Right to come here”
Flor Didden of the indernational development umbrella organisation 11.11.11 regrets the minister’s stance.
“We’re talking about 13 students who have been invited by a Belgian university and to whom a scholarship has been awarded,” says Didden. “In some cases, the asylum and migration department has issued a visa. They have the right to come to Belgium!”