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Belgium: Asylum and immigration

01 January 1991

Belgium: Asylum and immigration
artdoc April=1995

Bizarre new residence tax for asylum-seekers proposed
The authorities in Ixelles are considering introducing a new tax
for asylum-seekers whereby they would have to pay 20,000 francs
for living in a `second residence' (the first residence being in
their country of origin). If, under the proposals, asylum-seekers
fail to pay the tax (which would come out of their social
security payments) within fifteen days, then they would be liable
to have their possessions seized by a bailiff (Solidaire no.36,
21.9.94).

Green party ditch voting rights

During recent elections (see above), the Green Party announced
that they would no longer defend the right of immigrants to vote.
Nor does the Green Party support legislation for the automatic
granting of Belgian citizenship after five years residence in
Belgium (Solidaire no. 36, 21.9.94).

Kurds start hunger-strike

Three Kurdish families in Charleroi, threatened with deportation,
have gone on hunger-strike. One of them is headed by Imran Celik
who has lived in Belgium since 1989, having fled Turkey where he
was tortured (Solidaire no. 34, 7.9.94).

IRR European Race Audit, Bulletin no 11, December 1994. Contact:
Liz Fekete, Institute of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London
WC1X 9HS. Tel: 0171 837 0041