Migratie

News

Back to the Romanian-Ukrainian border: ‘Spontaneous solidarity has greatly diminished’

1 September 2023 -

Fleeing your country is one thing. But what comes after, when you have reached a safe country and the weeks and months pass? MO* journalist Pieter Stockmans returned to the Romanian-Ukrainian border, where he saw a wave of solidarity with refugees last year. What has changed?

Report

The absurd life story of stateless Salim

8 May 2023 -

Salim was born in Saudi Arabia, just like his parents. Beyond their genes, he unfortunately also inherited their statelessness. Belgium recognised Salim as stateless but refuses to grant him a residence permit. Salim cannot return. Nor can he stay. Read his story here.

Interview

‘The super-rich choose their own place in the world — and pay for it’

6 January 2023 -

Who among us can truly become a global citizen? Journalist Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, herself the holder of three nationalities from three different continents, takes a unique look at what citizenship means in the 21st century.

Editorial

What does Rwanda gain from the refugee deal with the UK?

26 April 2022 -

The United Kingdom aims to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, where they will be subject to the local asylum procedures. Boris Johnson wants the British electorate to forget party gate. But what does Rwanda gain from it?

Analysis

A three-headed dragon is depopulating Europe

1 December 2021 -

A three-headed dragon is haunting Europe. It is ageing the population, causing women to have fewer children and pushing hundreds of thousands away from their homelands. Bulgaria, for example, has the fastest declining population in the world. The European Commission is putting up its defences against this threat. It appointed a first-ever and ...

Interview

Sulaiman Addonia: ‘Not what should be is important, but what can be’

7 September 2021 -

With his novel “Silence is my mother tongue”, Sulaiman Addonia breaks open our imagination about life in refugee camps. Gie Goris accompanied the author to the dark room where he developed his characters: the ponds of Ixelles. An interview about speaking with silence and sex as spirituality.

Interview

Conflict, Borders, and Division: The Fallout from the Climate Crisis

6 September 2021 -

From uncontrollable fires in southern Europe to unprecedented flooding in Belgium and Germany, the summer of 2021 witnessed a string of environmental disasters. In his book, "The New Border Wars", Klaus Dodds predicts that floods will continue to ravage our continents, with devastating consequences.

Report

‘Not everyone has the strength to carry their heavy backpack’

11 May 2021 -

The Afghan community in Antwerp (and in Belgium) is predominantly young, male and single. And hurt by a violent past. Should we be worried about the boys? Will the girls find opportunities? Portrait of a new generation of Antwerp citizens.

Report

Afghans in Antwerp: ‘The journey begins once we reach our destination’

2 March 2021 -

The 40-year war in Afghanistan is pushing more Afghans to become refugees. Their numbers are also increasing in Belgium. In the port city of Antwerp, Afghans have already become the fifth largest nationality group. Gie Goris talked to the Afghans of Antwerp.

Analysis

Ethiopian migrants chased and shot at in the Gulf: ‘Just let them die. Their lives are worthless’

24 September 2020 -

In Yemen, Houthi militias have used the corona crisis to violently chase out Ethiopian migrants across the border with Saudi Arabia. Now, more than five months later, hundreds of Ethiopians migrants are still being held in Saudi detention centres in dire circumstances.

Report

In Italy this football team offers new perspective to African refugees

15 February 2019 -

In Matteo Salvini’s Italy, where ports are closed for ships that recover migrants dispersed in the sea, a football team offers a new perspective to refugees from Africa. They share the dream of being able to play football while sharing the same tragic experiences, risking their lives on precarious boats, as well as in the prsion camps of Libya.&nbs ...

Report

A whole new world? Truths and terrors of the unaccompanied child refugees in Belgium

4 May 2018 -

Every week thirteen unaccompanied refugees enter our country, more than half of them coming from conflict country Afghanistan. They become younger every time and carry more and more traumatic experiences with them. Belgium promises adequate shelter and protection. Are we able to provide that?