Dutch Court Orders Evacuation of Afghan Embassy Guards Over Discriminatory Treatment

Dutch Court Orders Evacuation of Afghan Embassy Guards Over Discriminatory Treatment
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A Dutch court has ruled that the government must evacuate 42 Afghan security guards and their families from Kabul to the Netherlands, citing unlawful and discriminatory treatment during the 2021 evacuation crisis, Khaama Press reported.

The Hague District Court found that the Afghan guards, who worked for a private security firm contracted by the Dutch embassy, faced serious threats from the Taliban due to their association with a foreign government.

The court rejected the government’s claim of non-responsibility based on the guards’ employment status, stating their roles were comparable to outsourced embassy workers. The judges noted that evacuating European staff while leaving Afghan guards behind was discriminatory and breached the state’s duty of care.

The ruling has reignited debate in the Netherlands over moral responsibility toward Afghan allies. While it remains uncertain if the government will appeal, the guards will now be eligible to apply for asylum upon relocation.