05may 2026
Our collective supports the struggles of people detained in Belgian detention centres. We are in contact with dozens of people every week, and one of the things we propose to them is mobile phone top-ups. These top-ups are essential for maintaining contact with the outside world! With family and friends, but also with lawyers.
Why top-ups?
Upon their arrest and arrival at a closed detention centre, people taken into administrative detention (with the aim of being returned to their country of origin, on the pretext that they do not have the ‘right papers’ to stay in Belgium) have their smartphones confiscated by centre staff. The centre gives each of them a Lyca SIM card, along with a small ‘brick’ phone without a camera (though some centres no longer even provide a phone…).
The detainees must top up their phones at their own expense! Many do not have the financial means to do so.
Essential contact with the outside world
Their phone is very often the only link to the outside world for detainees, whether it’s to contact their family and friends, their lawyer, or simply to make their situation known publicly. Whether their arrest takes place along their migration route or where they live, whether their family and friends are here or abroad, being able to notify and communicate with them is crucial!
What we send to those in detention
Thanks to donations and fundraising, our collective sends to each person in detention a €10 mobile top-up every three weeks. Until a few months ago, we offered a top-up every month. But thanks to recent support initiatives, we’ve been able to increase this to a top-up every three weeks!
In recent months, demand has risen significantly (which is great!!), but this means our resources are dwindling. For information, we spend between €500 and €1,000 a month on top-ups.
That is why your financial support is crucial.
Thanks to donations, we also sometimes send small mobile phones to detainees, when they cannot afford to buy one on arrival: they cost around €20 each.
How can you make a donation?
Make a donation to support us: the money will be sent directly to a detainee in the form of a top-up code.
Ideally, if you can afford it, a monthly standing order (even just a few euros) would be best. This allows us to keep sending top-ups sustainable in the long term!
- Collectif Contre les Expulsions
- BE58 5230 8016 1279
- Reference: Lyca top-up
- BIC: TRIOBEBB
Pass this message on to your friends!
DOWN WITH THE STATE AND ITS BORDERS
DOWN WITH DETENTION CENTRES
FREEDOM FOR ALL
