Fears of new migrant ‘Jungle’ in the heart of Europe

BRUSSELS: Hundreds of migrants sleep in the shadow of high-rises in downtown Brussels, raising fears in the EU capital of a new ‘Jungle’, similar to the dismantled camp in Calais.

Each night, the young migrants — mostly Sudanese and Eritreans — take over Parc Maximilien, a sliver of green space adjacent to the gritty Gare du Nord station where trains depart for Belgium’s North Sea coast.

As in the French port of Calais, the dream of most here is getting to Britain.

The young men, gathered just three kilometres from European Union headquarters, have survived a long and dangerous journey — through North Africa, across the Mediterranean and the gauntlet of police checks set up to catch them throughout southern Europe.

But for Adam, 25, making a life in Brussels instead of London would do just fine after abandoning his native Sudan, crossing Chad and waiting for six ‘ very tough’ months in Libya.

“This is too hard. I want protection from the government (in Belgium),” the young man said on a warm August night, just blocks from where prostitutes ply their trade and drug users seek a quick fix.

“The dream is achievable here,” he added.

But for now, only the efforts of activists and charities cushion the indignities of being an illegal migrant.

Belgian authorities want no part in even a temporary solution for people they say are only interested in reaching Britain.

Adam, like many of the 500 to 600 migrants processed in the park by charities this month, has been caught out by Belgium’s clear preference that he quickly move on.

For Theo Francken, deputy minister in charge of immigration, there is no reason to take on board ‘illegals ... who do not want asylum in Belgium’. — AFP