Belgium Accused of Systematic Human Rights Violations Against Asylum Seekers

Amnesty International’s damning 33-page report reveals Belgium’s deliberate denial of shelter, healthcare, and dignity to thousands of asylum seekers, violating international law, ETIAS.com reported.

Over 12,000 court rulings since 2021 have condemned the government for ignoring housing obligations—primarily affecting racialized single men from Afghanistan, Palestine, and Syria. Despite legal fines and EU condemnation, Belgium refuses compliance, with officials labeling the crisis a “political choice.”

Critics highlight hypocrisy: Belgium swiftly accommodated 91,000 Ukrainians in 2022 but suspended shelter access for non-Europeans in 2023. The new government plans stricter migration policies, exacerbating homelessness. Amnesty demands immediate action, including shelter restoration, medical access, and compliance with court orders, warning of EU-wide repercussions if Belgium’s defiance continues.

The report underscores systemic erosion of democratic principles, with Belgium’s actions risking a domino effect across Europe. As the EU prepares to launch ETIAS border controls in 2026, the crisis exposes contradictions between Brussels’ rhetoric and member states’ practices. Amnesty urges the EU to intervene, framing Belgium as a test case for the bloc’s commitment to human rights.