Belgium 4,000: Demonstrate in support of illegals

Some 4,000 people demonstrated in support of illegals in Brussels on Saturday. The demonstrators protested in favour of what they call "a humane asylum policy".

The demonstration was organised by Udeb, the movement that supports people in Belgium who do not possess the right paperwork.

Udeb groups a number of humanitarian organisations and the trades unions.

The protesters want people who have been living here illegally for many years to receive guarantees that they will be allowed to stay.

They point to the fact that many illegals have been able to build a life for themselves in Belgium.

Jan De Volder of the St Egidius Community that has been providing shelter for ’people without papers’ told the VRT that his organisation was calling for clarity. The demonstrators included people from all parts of the country.