Belgium migrants suspend hunger strike that shook coalition government

Brussels, Jul 21 (EFE).- Hundreds of undocumented migrants undertaking a months-long hunger strike to demand better conditions and residential permits after years living in Belgium have decided to temporarily suspend the protest after reaching agreements with the government.

The action, which garnered international media coverage, threatened to rock the Belgian government after the Socialist Party and greens Ecolo told Prime Minister Alexander De Croo that they would abandon the coalition if any of the migrants died as a result of the hunger strike.

The suspension was announced by the group of strikers gathered at the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Brussels, although migrants protesting in other locations at two Brussels-based universities have not confirmed whether they will follow suit.

According to the Belga agency, strike representatives at the church said meetings have been held with the government and sympathizers in the past few days, and claimed they have reached agreements pending validation.

Secretary of State of Asylum and Migration Sammy Mahdi tweeted: “For me, this was not a fight against people, but rather in favour of proper policy. Hopefully no one will suffer permanent damages.” EFE

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