Dutch court lifts protection for foreigners who fled Ukraine

The Hague: A top Dutch court said Wednesday that the government could stop its support for foreigners living in Ukraine who fled after Russia s invasi...

The Hague: A top Dutch court said Wednesday that the government could stop its support for foreigners living in Ukraine who fled after Russia's invasion, paving the way for their deportation.

In its ruling, the Council of State (RVS), the country's highest administrative court, said the government's plan to end temporary asylum for the group of around 1,700 people could be implemented.

Many of the refugees hailed from places including Algeria, Turkey and Pakistan and were working or studying in Ukraine at the time of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Rights and refugee advocates have criticised the move to expel the so-called "third country nationals".

But the court "ruled today that the temporary protection for third-country nationals in Ukraine can end", the Hague-based court said in a statement.