Jakarta –
Mariam Adeshoga arrived in Kyiv in 2019, hoping for a better career as a female computer programmer than in her native Nigeria. A 30-year-old woman gets a study visa to pursue her master’s degree.
“When I got there, I was blown away by the people, and the serene and beautiful environment,” recalls Adeshoga with a smile. “So I thought, okay, I can build my life and continue my future there.”
She lives with Ukrainian students, learns its language and culture, and works to fulfill her dream of inspiring other young girls to take up computer programming. He made many friends and felt at home in Kyiv.
“I never planned to leave Ukraine,” he told DW. “Ukraine feels very safe to me.”
But then, he said, “everything disappeared” when Russia launched war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Like his Ukrainian counterparts, Adeshoga ran for cover in a bomb shelter. After several days of fear, he seeks safety across the border into Poland. Then he continued on to the Netherlands, and ended up in Amsterdam, in a small cabin on a floating hotel meant for short term accommodation.
Adeshoga arrives March 2, 2022, coincidentally on that day the European Union decided to activate the Temporary Protection Directive from 2001 for the first time, to help quickly those fleeing war in Ukraine without forcing them through the asylum application process. The Dutch government enforces a most liberal regime, welcoming all those who have fled Ukraine regardless of their passport.
To date, Adeshoga has received the same package of assistance as most Ukrainian citizens and permanent residents, including housing, health care, living allowance and access to education.
Political change and aid processes
In early 2023, however, the Dutch government decided that around 3,000 people without permanent residency rights in Ukraine must leave the Netherlands, ending all rights and benefits from September 4.
One of those affected, he chose not to be named, shared a letter he received from the Mayor of Haarlem, which demanded he leave state-sponsored accommodation at midnight on September 4.
“If you don’t leave the shelter in time, the municipality may take steps to force your departure… [dan] hold you responsible for any costs incurred in doing so,” the letter read. “If you do not legally reside in the Netherlands, you must leave the country and are no longer allowed to work here.”
In light of this decision, the Dutch government is offering €5,000 in funds to those who wish to leave of their own accord. The condition is that they need to make a statement that their lives will be threatened if they are returned to their home country.
In its decision, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service IND, part of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, said the system of third-country nationals coming to the Netherlands under EU directives had been “abused.”
“It is very important for us to provide protection to people who are not safe in their own countries,” Migration Minister Eric van der Burg said. “At the same time, we don’t want to overburden the municipality.”
Sue to court, hold protests and petitions
Many third-country nationals who appealed against the order filed suit against the courts, and staged a protest. Minister Erici van der Burg finally agreed to delay the expiry of benefits and residence permits.
Lotte Van Diepen and Immigration Lawyer Everaert in Amsterdam represent several third-country nationals, including Mariam Adeshoga, who are demanding the right to remain in the Netherlands. Lotte van Diepen believes people initially covered by the regulation still have the legal right to stay, provided they do not violate Dutch law or other provisions of the protection mechanism.
One of Van Diepen’s arguments is that because the Council of Europe, which consists of heads of state and government of EU countries, activated the Temporary Safeguard Directive, therefore, the abolition of these rights must also go through a decision of the Council of Europe.
“It is not the minister’s authority to decide when it ends. There are provisions in the directive that regulate scenarios in which temporary protection can end,” he explained. “My clients work or study. They start building a life here assuming they are allowed to stay here as long as the Temporary Protection Directive is in effect.”
Now lawyers and sympathizers have helped organize demonstrations, promote online petitions and ask the government to re-evaluate its decisions. Mariam Adeshoga says she is just trying to stay focused on her dream, that one day she can do good things, and inspire more women to become computer programmers wherever they are.
(hp/yf)
See also ‘Atmosphere of Erdogan-Putin Meeting, Discuss Potential Food Crisis’:
(it/it)
2023-09-06 00:41:55
#Confused #Fate #Refugees #Ukraine #Netherlands
