Civil society organisations hold silent protest over shortage of reception places
On 13 November 2025, several civil society organisations held a silent protest outside the Palais de Justice in Brussels to draw attention to the shortage of reception places for third-country nationals. Participants, including advocates, volunteers, and citizens, brought sleeping bags to symbolise people forced to sleep outdoors. The demonstration called for urgent measures to ensure that all individuals entitled to accommodation can access it.
The initiative was organised jointly by Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, Amnesty International Belgium, Médecins du Monde, BelRefugees, the Ligue des droits humains, and House of Compassion. Demonstrators staged a silent protest, using sleeping bags to represent individuals left without shelter due to limited reception capacity. The action aimed to raise public awareness and encourage policymakers to expand and manage reception places effectively.
The protest coincided with the start of the winter plan on 15 November, the emergency accommodation scheme activated by cities during the coldest months. Until last year, the plan received federal co-funding, which has now been removed. As a result, even more people, including children, risk being left without shelter, according to the organisers. They called for the continuation and reinforcement of emergency housing measures, as well as clear procedures to ensure that all eligible individuals can be accommodated promptly.
For further information, readers can consult the press release published (In French) by Amnesty International .