The cabinet will do everything in its power to bring Afghans who are at risk because they have assisted the Dutch government to the Netherlands. The outgoing cabinet has promised this in the House of Representatives.
The Parliamentary Defense Committee had interrupted the recess for a debate with ministers Kaag and Bijleveld and state secretary Broekers-Knol. A majority of the House urged to be generous not only towards interpreters who have worked for the Dutch government, but also, for example, towards drivers, cooks and security guards. According to the House, the cabinet must also make an effort for (fixers of) journalists and people who have worked on Dutch development projects.
The ministers emphasized that they cannot give any guarantees, because it is not certain that those involved can reach the airport in Kabul. “That’s the terrible reality,” Kaag said.
‘Too slow’
The House was very critical of the too slow pace at which the cabinet has made efforts for the interpreters, according to many. The cabinet would have been too bureaucratic. Bijleveld and Broekers rejected this and said that every effort was always made to bring the interpreters to the Netherlands.
But they emphasized that the now-deposed Afghan government kept demanding passports before people were allowed to leave the country. “We were dealing with a legitimate government,” Bijleveld emphasized. You can’t kidnap people. We cannot intervene in a sovereign country.”
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