Five former hunger strikers filed a lawsuit against the Belgian state at the Brussels Court of First Instance on Monday after previously negotiated agreements were not followed.

Several dozen protesters gathered in front of the courthouse with banners, while victims and lawyers spoke to journalists present.

Previously, several hundred undocumented migrants went on a two-month hunger strike at Saint John the Baptist at the Beguinage Church, which they ended after concessions by the government and Secretary of State Sammy Mahdi to possibly legalise their status collectively, following certain guidelines.

Months later, most of the affected people received negative responses regarding their right to stay, prompting the legal action taken.