>The welcome given to Ukrainian refugees in Belgium greatly contrasts the treatment afforded to other asylum seekers upon their arrival, new research by the University of Antwerp has revealed.
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>Following the outbreak of the Russian war in Ukraine, thousands fled to European countries for their safety. The EU’s rapid activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for displaced persons resulted in Ukrainian refugees being given a quick bypass for complex and lengthy asylum procedures, including in Belgium. Here, it gave them the right to remain in the country and access the Belgian labour market.
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>Researchers in the University of Antwerp’s latest Yearbook on Poverty and Inequality have stressed that there is a “staggering disparity” between this treatment of Ukrainian refugees and that of asylum seekers.
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>”The rapid and relatively coordinated approach to the reception of Ukrainians and their access to housing, assistance and education contrasts with the approach to the reception crisis for other applicants for international protection,” the researchers noted.
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>”Even after approval of their demand for international protection, the steps towards integration, housing, education or benefits were and are often much more difficult for these recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.” This continues to be the case, despite thousands of convictions against the Belgian State for failing to provide reception for asylum seekers.
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>Meanwhile, to accommodate refugees from Ukraine, the Belgian Government even appealed to citizens to help out with the campaign #PlekVrij. Even when the reception crisis reached a climax when children were left to sleep on the streets, no similar campaign was launched for asylum seekers.
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>Ukrainians who have fled their country because of the violence of war since the Russian invasion can apply for temporary protection status in all EU countries. [That temporary protection includes, among other things](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/01/25/35-000-oekraiense-vluchtelingen-in-vlaanderen-begeleiding-begi/):
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>right of residence
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>right to housing
>
>right to social assistance
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>right to medical care
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>access to education and training
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>access to the labor market
>
>access to banking services
I don’t think this is some surprise
Ofc people will be more open to aiding more culturally (and sadly racially) similar asylum seekers, because our monkey brains fear otherness and are comfortable with homogeneity.
Positive media coverage of one and Chinese funded negative propaganda of the other doesn’t help either.
As Belgians, I find it’s a sick joke to hear anyone speaking negatively of asylum seekers, given our history, and it smacks of nauseating and undeserved entitlement
Legal vs illegal immigration. We offered to help Ukranians (Europeans) fleeing their country. The asylum seekers just decided they wanted to come to Europe. It’s like complaining someone treated a guest they invited better than someone who just showed up at their door.
3 comments
>The welcome given to Ukrainian refugees in Belgium greatly contrasts the treatment afforded to other asylum seekers upon their arrival, new research by the University of Antwerp has revealed.
>
>Following the outbreak of the Russian war in Ukraine, thousands fled to European countries for their safety. The EU’s rapid activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for displaced persons resulted in Ukrainian refugees being given a quick bypass for complex and lengthy asylum procedures, including in Belgium. Here, it gave them the right to remain in the country and access the Belgian labour market.
>
>Researchers in the University of Antwerp’s latest Yearbook on Poverty and Inequality have stressed that there is a “staggering disparity” between this treatment of Ukrainian refugees and that of asylum seekers.
>
>”The rapid and relatively coordinated approach to the reception of Ukrainians and their access to housing, assistance and education contrasts with the approach to the reception crisis for other applicants for international protection,” the researchers noted.
>
>”Even after approval of their demand for international protection, the steps towards integration, housing, education or benefits were and are often much more difficult for these recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.” This continues to be the case, despite thousands of convictions against the Belgian State for failing to provide reception for asylum seekers.
>
>Meanwhile, to accommodate refugees from Ukraine, the Belgian Government even appealed to citizens to help out with the campaign #PlekVrij. Even when the reception crisis reached a climax when children were left to sleep on the streets, no similar campaign was launched for asylum seekers.
>
>Ukrainians who have fled their country because of the violence of war since the Russian invasion can apply for temporary protection status in all EU countries. [That temporary protection includes, among other things](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/01/25/35-000-oekraiense-vluchtelingen-in-vlaanderen-begeleiding-begi/):
>
>right of residence
>
>right to housing
>
>right to social assistance
>
>right to medical care
>
>access to education and training
>
>access to the labor market
>
>access to banking services
I don’t think this is some surprise
Ofc people will be more open to aiding more culturally (and sadly racially) similar asylum seekers, because our monkey brains fear otherness and are comfortable with homogeneity.
Positive media coverage of one and Chinese funded negative propaganda of the other doesn’t help either.
As Belgians, I find it’s a sick joke to hear anyone speaking negatively of asylum seekers, given our history, and it smacks of nauseating and undeserved entitlement
Legal vs illegal immigration. We offered to help Ukranians (Europeans) fleeing their country. The asylum seekers just decided they wanted to come to Europe. It’s like complaining someone treated a guest they invited better than someone who just showed up at their door.