Tensions have rarely been as high surrounding migration in Europe as they are today. The impressive results of far-right, anti-immigrant parties throughout Europe are testament to this fact. Yet a small but important win for the forces of tolerance and humanity occurred recently with the decision to allow Joël Munezero, a 5 year-old child with a very serious disease, and his mother to stay in Belgium.
As RTBF reports, Joël suffers from a very rare disease known as osseous dysplasia. He arrived with his mother in Belgium in 2010 thanks to a medical visa and both were granted the right to stay for a limited period. Joël is currently a student in the JJ. Michel school (1060) in Brussels and doctors state that Joël’s life may be put in danger if he returns to Rwanda as doctors there do not have the necessary means to treat Joël adequately. Regardless of the fears for Joël’s life, the Belgian authorities still decided to serve Joël and his mother with an expulsion notice at the end of May.
The parents of Joël’s fellow classmates launched a petition online in order to raise attention for his cause and to put pressure on the relevant authorities to allow Joël to stay. The petition points out that Joël has made many friends in his school and that due to Peace, Joël’s mother, being unable to work as at the time she did not have a residence permit, the family is confronted with a difficult financial situation. It also explains that this is not the first time that Joël has been faced with expulsion as in 2012 Joël and his mother were almost sent back to Rwanda but they ultimately won the right to remain on appeal.
A Facebook page as well as a website have also been set up to raise support for Joël’s cause.
Thankfully, the Belgian authorities have now decided to reverse their earlier decision and to grant both Joël and his mother a residence permit of one year for humanitarian reasons. In one year, Peace, Joël’s mother, will have to prove that she has the financial means to be able to stay in Belgium.
Although this change of heart should be commended, the problem still remains that a year’s reprieve is not nearly enough for either Joël or his mother. Joël has a long-term disease and on medical grounds, should be granted immediate regularisation so that he and his mother can live in Belgium in peace.
Europe should be proud that it is a place that welcomes and takes care of people like Joël. Do we really want to become known as a place that turns away sick children and their mothers? I think not.
Click Here to read Joël’s online petition
Click Here to read the statement by Joël’s supporters following the granting of the residence permits
Originally published on Afronline.org