Police in Brussels intervened yesterday to stop violence that broke out after a demonstration against a UN migration pact.
Security forces used tear gas and water cannon after some demonstrators threw stones and other objects at the European Commission building in the city, news agency Belga reported.
About 5,500 people took part in the “March against Marrakech”, police said.
Police stepped in to disperse the crowd after projectiles and firecrackers were thrown, an AFP journalist on the scene reported.
The UN’s Global Compact on Migration was endorsed by more than 150 countries in the Moroccan city last Monday.
The agreement is designed to frame an effective international approach to migration – a deeply divisive issue across Europe and beyond.
The demonstrators were reportedly calling for priority for “our own people”, for closed borders, and for the resignation of Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Right-wing and extreme right-wing Flemish groups organised the rally.
Left-wing groups organised a counter-demonstration that drew about 1,000 people to the streets, but they kept their distance from the rival marchers.
Belgian authorities initially banned both rallies fearing unrest but the country’s supreme administrative court – the Council of State – overturned the decision.
Non-governmental organisations have voiced doubts about the agreement approved last Monday – a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration – on whether it can be implemented both on the ground and the high seas.
Pope Francis has voiced his support for the agreement and urged the international community to show “responsibility, solidarity and compassion” in dealing with migrants.
The Pontiff stressed the pact was designed to secure “safe, ordered and regular migration”.
However, its provisions are not legally binding and detractors warn it could might encourage uncontrolled people flows.
In Belgium the issue has become a political hot potato.
Belgian Prime Minister Michel was left leading a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition – the Flemish nationalist N-VA, which held four ministries – quit over the accord.
The UN pact was agreed in July by all 193 UN members except the United States, but only 164 formally signed it at the meeting last Monday.
Ten countries, mostly in formerly Communist Eastern Europe, have pulled out of the non-binding pact.
With a record 21.3mn refugees globally, the United Nations began work on the pact after more than one million people arrived in Europe in 2015, many fleeing civil war in Syria and poverty in Africa.
A far-right supporter throws a traffic sign during a protest in Brussels against the UN migration pact.
