>From: bartdall@agoranet.be
>Subject:immigration/students in hungerstrike
>
>Hello,
>
>On tuesd. october, 22 we (the Anarchist Centre - Ghent, Belgium)received a=
=20
declaration in French from the "Union Nationale des Etudiants de Maroc"=20
(National Union of Students of Marocco)and the "F=E9deration des Etudiants=
=20
Francophones" (Federation of French-speaking Students) at the Free=20
University of Brussels, with a request to spread it and to write solidarity=
=20
and/or protest letters (adresses below). What follows is a complete=20
translation, our english is though not perfect, sorry for this.
>
>CALL FOR MOBILIZATION
>
>Concerns: Mobilisation of students at the Free University of Brussels on=20
wednesday, october 22th - hungerstrike of National Union of Students of=
Marocco.
>
>
>On wednessday, october 22th, a hungerstrike will take place on the=20
initiative of the students of the National Union of Students from Marocco=20
(NUSM) - section Brussels and with the support of the Federation of=20
French-speaking Students (FFS). The objective of this document is to clarify=
=20
the content (and history)of the different elements that motivate this=20
action. It inscribes itself in the continuing struggle of the students,=20
foreigners and Belgians, for an education open for everyone and of quality.
>
>The interpellation of the NUSM and the FFS is based on 3 elements:
>
> 1. the refusal to grant a visa to Mr. Mustapha BENALI
>
>Mr. Benali was condemmed in Marocco because of his democratic and militant=
=20
syndicalist activities and defense of human rights during the student=20
protests in 1991. After his release from prison in 1997 he was hoping to=20
continue his studies in Belgium; the Free University of Brussels having=20
already accepted his request for inscription. Today, the Office of=20
Foreigners, although in perfect knowledge of the political character of his=
=20
condemnation, only grants a visa on the condition that one can give a recent=
=20
attest of blanco criminal record. With this refusal the Belgian government=
=20
supports/legitimates the criminalisation of political activities by the=20
Maroccan regime.
>
> 2. the provisional treaty on study costs of foreign students
>
>The French-speaking Rectors (=3Dheads of university)and the Secretary of=20
State for Cooperation are for the moment negotiating an agreement on the=20
repayment of the costs made by the universities for their reception of=20
students from developing countries. This agreement will only garant the=20
financing of those students who have a study loan from the General Bureau of=
=20
Developmental Cooperation, thus abrogating the Royal Decree of 10/08/1980=20
and excluding significant categories of foreign students financed up to now.=
=20
They'll have to reclaim complementary inscription rights (which will cost=20
them over 100.000 bf).=20
>
> 3. The consequences of the law Vande Lanotte
>
>The "law Vande Lanotte" (modification of the law of 1980 on the entrance,=
=20
residence and expulsion from the territory) places a significant number of=
=20
foreign students in a situation of extreme precariousness. The stricter visa=
=20
requirements make it for many young Africans almost impossible to continue=
=20
their studies at Belgian universities.=20
>
>These measures must be seen in the general context of restricting the=20
access to higher education. Thus, it is in our view the same logic that=20
leads to the acceptance of a numerus clausus in medical education, to the=20
non-payment of students who failed repeatedly, to the augmentation of=20
inscription prices, to the measures aiming at the exclusion of foreign=
students.
>
>We are determined to fight against this vision of an education reserved for=
=20
an elite, based on selection and exclusion.
>
>THEREFORE WE DEMAND:
>
> *that the Office of Foreigners immediately grants a student visa to=20
Mustapha Benali for the academic year 1997-98;
>
> * that the French-speaking Rectors show their opposition against any=20
financial exclusion of foreign students and thus against the treaty proposed=
=20
by the GBDC;
>
> * that the debate is opened on the reception and financing of foreign=20
students and this in the context of the cooperation policy ;
>
> * the abrogation of the laws Vande Lanotte
>
>
>We are of course at your disposition for all complementary information.
>The NUSM and the FFS will clarify their position in a forthcoming press=20
release.
>
> for the NUSM for the FFS
> Mohammed Chouitari Oliver Schneider
>
>
>--- end of document---
>
>In a written note more actions are announced for next week.
>The studentorganizations don't mention their adress, only tel.numbers, we=
=20
guess supportletters will find their way when you write to the university:
>Universit=E9 Libre de Bruxelles
>Campus Solbosch
>Av. Paul H=E9ger 22
>1050 Brussels
>
>Union Nationale de Etudiant(e)s du Maroc: 02/650 44 88
>Centre International des Etudiants Etrangers: 02/650 21 62
>Cercle des Etudiants Zairois: 02/650 44 89
>
>Protestletters:
>
>Ministry of Interiors
>Johan Vande Lanotte
>Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Interiors
>Koningstraat 60-62
>1000 Brussel
>tel.:02/504 85 11
>fax: 02/504 85 OO or 80
>
>Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken (Office of Foreigners)
>North Gate II
>Emile Jacqmainlaan 152
>1210 Brussel
>tel.: 02/205 54 11
>fax.: 02/ 205 56 80 =20
> =20
>
>
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