Fighting racism and repression in Belgium: Husam is free after 50 days in detention

A statement from Samidoun Belgium

Upon receiving refugee status in Belgium, Husam has finally been freed. Arrested on 29th of September after the daily protest at the bourse, Husam has spent 50 days in a closed detention center. His arrest was part of a broader wave of repression against the Palestine solidarity movement in Belgium. Husam was among eleven Palestinians violently arrested, of whom eight were taken to closed detention centers despite being in ongoing asylum processes.

Out of the eight Palestinians who were arrested and taken to closed detention centers, only Fathi Alhams, Ali Abu Taha and Mahmoud Abu Hadayed remain. Two others, Anas and Hamouda, have been deported to Greece, while Mahmoud Faraj Allah died a martyr within the walls of the closed detention center 127bis in Steenokkerzeel.

The use of closed detention centers and threat of deportation continues the Arizona coalition’s aim to ‘institute the strictest migration policy ever’, expanding on previous governments’ persecution of undocumented migrants. Using a combination of new laws, policies, and unlawful police interventions, this has led to a severe increase in expulsions of squats for undocumented migrants, the expansion of detention centers, increased deportations, and continuous flagrant violations of the right to asylum.

Let there be no mistake. The politicians behind this policy, the bureaucrats who keep it in place, and the police who enforce it, are all directly responsible for the violence of the last months. From the death of Mahmoud Ezzat Farag Allah, to the violent expulsion of 70 undocumented migrants from Zone Neutre.

While we celebrate the release of Husam, we will not stop mobilizing until Fathi, Ali and Mahmoud are freed.

We will not stop taking to the streets until every single closed detention center has been dismantled, and the Belgian state abandon its persecution of undocumented migrants.

We will not rest until we get justice for Mahmoud, Fabian, Christophe, Sourour, Mehdi, Imad, Adel, Sabrina, Ouassim, and everyone else murdered by the racist and violent Belgian state.

Ni oubli, ni pardon — we do not forget or forgive.