Thousands march in Brussels to support refugees

Between 15,000 and 23,000 people marched through Brussels on Sunday afternoon to show their support for more refugees being allowed into Belgium. There were also calls for conditions to be improved in the country's migrant reception centres, and for steps to be taken against racism and xenophobia.

The campaigning groups which organised the march claimed that up to 23,000 people followed the route from North Station to Parc du Cinquantenaire in the European quarter of the city. Police put the number at 15,000, still substantially more than organisers hoped to attract.

"This is 23,000 voices saying 'yes' to solidarity, dignity and hospitality, and as many saying 'no' to fear, racism and hatred," said Elodie Francart of the Civic Platform for Supporting Brussels' Refugees, one of the March organisers.

Meanwhile Theo Francken, the federal minister responsible for migration and asylum issues, has revealed that the government will be using adverts on social media site Facebook to dissuade Iraqi migrants from coming to Belgium.

A large number of the migrants seeking asylum in Belgium are single Iraqi men, between 25 and 45 years of age, mainly from Baghdad. As such they have very little chance of being granted refugee status. Speaking to VTM Nieuws on Sunday evening, Franken explained that they would be targeted with Facebook ads telling them it is not worth making the journey.

Photo © Wiktor Dabkowski/dpa/Corbis