Activists gather outside the Holsbeek centre on the 25th of November, on the international day for the elimitation of gender–based violence
On Saturday 29 November 2025, a group of activists gathered outside the closed centre for women* in Holsbeek (in the Leuven region). This act of support was organised as part of the international day for the elimitation of gender-based violence, which takes place every year on the 25th of November. The group was able to shout their support to the people detained in Holsbeek and communicate with them. Following this visit, several people called us. They are of various nationalities and have been detained for months. They tell us how difficult detention is, with the constant fear of deportation. Many are in critical health.
We share their voices with you.
“I don’t feel well here. I have epilepsy. Last year, I had a problem because of it. I’ve been falling to the ground ever since. I fall all the time… I take tablets every day. The centre takes me to hospital, I’ve already been twice to see a psychiatrist.“
“We make an effort to stay. It’s hard here. There’s a lot of stress, you think a lot. You can’t sleep normally. There’s too much pressure. Every day is harder than the day before.”
“We try to support each other as best we can inside. But it’s not easy here.“
“We’re like sisters here. We’re in the same situation, we can understand and help each other.“
“There’s no reason. The people here aren’t criminals: we don’t do anything. We don’t deserve to be here. There’s no reason. Our only hope is to get out and end this. It’s a nightmare for me, sometimes I think it’s a nightmare and that being here isn’t real. Sometimes I ask myself: where am I? And when I see that I’m in the centre, I cry.”
“Really, I’m fed up. The TV doesn’t work. All day long, nothing to do. Why are there closed centres? Why are women in closed centres? We work, we’ve tried everything. But why? There’s nothing here. I can’t take it anymore. We can’t take it anymore.“
The closed centre for women* in Holsbeek
The centre of Holsbeek is one of six closed centres in Belgium. Opened in 2019 as part of Francken’s Masterplan for closed centres, it is unique in that it only accommodates women* (including trans-women). It should be noted that women* are also detained in a special wing of the Bruges detention centre, as well as at the Caricole transit centre. Holsbeek has a capacity of around 50 places, and the detainees we are in contact with report that there are currently just under 30 people detained there.
‘Your safety, our job’: the lies of the state
A few days ago, the president of the FPS Interior, Laura Szabo, visited the Holsbeek centre with the director of the Immigration Office, Freddy Roosemont. Their hypocritical discourse about the Holsbeek centre contrasts sharply with what the detained women* tell us. It is scandalous to take such positions publicly when the reality of the people detained in closed centres is quite the opposite. Laura Szabo addresses the centre’s staff:
“Your professionalism is at the heart of our mission: to guarantee everyone’s safety while preserving their dignity. In a context where living together can generate tensions, you act responsibly to ensure a humane reception, faithful to the values that guide us. The staff at the closed centre are responsible for the safety and supervision of the residents. They do everything possible to ensure that their stay is humane and respectful and to prepare them for their return. Medical and psychological services are also available to them.”
These false public statements no longer surprise us, but they remain deeply shocking. They are yet another reminder that the government and its representatives (both the FPS Interior and the Immigration Office) lie and manipulate public discourse on migration and closed centres. They hide the reality of the centres and the suffering of the people they detain. How dare they talk about ‘humane and respectful conditions’? How dare they call them ‘residents’ when they are treated like prisoners? Shame on the government and its representatives, shame on the state.
The importance of support
The people we spoke to on the phone reiterated how important support is to them:
“Thank you very much, everyone.“
“We saw you come to the centre, it’s very kind of you.“
This kind of gathering in front of the centres reminds us how important it is to show and shout our support for the people that the Belgian state detains in these centres. To show them that they are seen, heard and supported from the outside. To show them that we are against these places of detention and death.
NO TO IMPRISONMENT
NO TO DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM
DEATH TO CLOSED CENTRES
DEATH TO BORDERS
FREEDOM FOR ALL
