On 1 September, the District Court of The Hague ruled in favour of the Afghan security guards we are representing in ongoing pro bono proceedings against the Dutch State.

The court found that the State bears responsibility for the dangerous position in which the guards now find themselves, due to their prior work for the Dutch embassy in Kabu. It ordered the State to provide transport and admit the guards to the Netherlands to start asylum procedures. The ruling explicitly notes the unequal treatment between Afghan and Hungarian guards, the latter having been evacuated.

This is a major victory in a civil court, considering that for more than four years administrative courts have systematically denied the guards' claims. The ruling is enforceable immediately. The State has four weeks to lodge an appeal.

Among other media, Nieuwsuur reported extensively on the matter, watch here (segment starts at 30:20 min): Nieuwsuur | NPO Start