Belgium launches social media campaigns to deter asylum seekers
Federal Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt has launched campaigns on YouTube and WhatsApp to reduce the number of asylum seekers in Belgium. She made the announcement on the Play4 talk show De Tafel van Gert.
The coalition agreement of the new federal government states that it will "modernise and intensify" campaigns to dissuade people from applying for asylum in Belgium. The agreement mentions an increased focus on online campaigns and "new and more interactive forms of communication".
These campaigns have already started, Van Bossuyt said on Wednesday evening. YouTube and WhatsApp will be used to disseminate news and deterrent messages about migration directly to potential asylum seekers. The campaigns are mainly aimed at correcting misunderstandings and false expectations about applying for asylum in Belgium.
For example, the Belgian Immigration Office has its own WhatsApp account, which it will actively promote. Videos will also be distributed via YouTube in certain transit countries and countries of origin.
Campaigns are running in Greece and Bulgaria, targeting asylum seekers from Cameroon and Guinea, with the message that asylum centres in Belgium are full, Van Bossuyt said. She said the videos were viewed almost 17,000 times in a few days, and will be extended to other target groups.
She will also be personally involved in deterrence campaigns. For example, she plans to travel to Moldova later this spring for this purpose.
Federal Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
Related news
