Increasing Hardships and Shocking Decisions
Amid the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen caused by more than eight years of continuous war, which has led to massive destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of millions both internally and externally, many Yemenis find themselves embarking on perilous journeys seeking safety and stability in other countries. The war’s impact is not limited to military conflicts but has extended to every aspect of daily life. Yemenis face severe shortages of food, water, and a near-collapse of the healthcare system, prompting them to seek refuge abroad. Among these destinations, the Netherlands has been a prominent choice for many Yemenis due to its reputation as a country that upholds human rights and offers protection to refugees. However, upon arriving in the Netherlands, many Yemeni refugees are shocked by decisions from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), which classifies Yemen as a “safe country,” resulting in a growing number of asylum rejections.
Reasons Behind the Rejections
The IND often relies on government or international reports, such as those from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and certain international organizations, to classify specific areas in Yemen as “relatively safe.” However, these reports frequently lack accuracy and are detached from the realities on the ground. Areas deemed “safe” continue to experience armed militias, recurring bombings, and severe human rights violations. Moreover, the infrastructure in these regions is entirely collapsed, making access to basic necessities like food and healthcare almost impossible. This flawed assessment disregards the actual conditions and forces many refugees to face the risk of returning to a hazardous and unstable environment.
Life in Refugee Shelters
Due to asylum rejections, many Yemenis are forced to live in refugee shelters for prolonged periods that far exceed reasonable expectations. Statistics reveal that hundreds of Yemeni refugees reside in these shelters under extremely challenging conditions. Originally designed as temporary accommodations, these shelters have become “psychological prisons” for many refugees due to the circumstances they endure. Some of the major challenges faced by refugees in these shelters include:
Psychological Distress: Refugees live in a state of constant anxiety due to instability and the perpetual fear of deportation. This stress severely impacts their mental and physical health.
Harsh Living Conditions: Many shelters suffer from overcrowding and lack privacy, making daily life exhausting and demoralizing.
Bureaucratic Delays: Refugees face long delays in the processing of their asylum applications without clear justifications, exacerbating their suffering and leaving them feeling neglected.
Social Marginalization: Many refugees feel isolated from Dutch society and unable to integrate due to the lack of legal and social stability.
Refugees’ Outcry: “Yemen Is Not Safe”
Over the years, Yemeni refugees in the Netherlands have organized several peaceful demonstrations to protest the classification of Yemen as a safe country. The latest of these demonstrations took place on January 25, 2025, in The Hague on “Laan van Reagan en Gorbatsjov.” Hundreds of Yemeni refugees participated, raising slogans emphasizing that Yemen remains a dangerous place for its people. Protesters voiced their anger and despair over policies that disregard their plight and called for a reassessment of asylum rejection decisions. Some noted that while previous protests had a limited impact, they failed to bring about significant policy changes.
First-Hand Accounts from Refugees
Ahmed A., a 28-year-old Yemeni refugee, shared his story: “I fled the hell of war in Yemen after losing my family and home. I expected to find safety in the Netherlands, but now I live in constant fear due to the rejection of my asylum application and the possibility of being sent back to the place I escaped from.”
Fatima M., a mother of two, added: “I cannot explain to my children why we can’t live a normal life like others. Every day in the shelter is a nightmare for all of us. We live without hope and don’t know what the future holds.”
Abdullah S., another refugee who faced rejection, said: “Every day I ask myself: Is this the fate awaiting everyone who flees war? We are treated as mere numbers rather than humans with feelings and dreams.”
Refugees’ Demands
Yemeni refugees are calling on the Dutch government and the European Union to acknowledge the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Yemen and amend policies that hinder their right to asylum. Among their key demands during the protest were:
Reassessment of Yemen’s Status: Refugees urge the conduct of independent investigations to evaluate conditions in Yemen accurately, incorporating testimonies from refugees themselves.
Expedited Procedures: Refugees demand shorter waiting times for asylum decisions, which often drag on for months or even years.
Enhanced Support: Refugees emphasize the need to improve living conditions in shelters and provide psychological and social support during the waiting period. They also highlight the importance of specialized teams to help them overcome the traumas experienced during the war and their journey to seek asylum.
The Importance of Solidarity
The organizers of the protest extended an open invitation to all Dutch citizens to support the cause of Yemeni refugees and amplify their voices to the authorities. Participants were encouraged to carry both Yemeni and Dutch flags to underscore the importance of humanitarian cooperation in addressing this crisis. Friends and allies were urged to join the demonstrations and speak about the issue in media and public forums.
Conclusion
The plight of Yemeni refugees in the Netherlands persists amidst strict asylum policies and a convoluted bureaucracy that fails to reflect the grim reality in Yemen. Support from both the international and local communities is a crucial step toward achieving justice and ensuring human rights for these refugees. The refugees’ message is clear: “Silence will not grant us our rights.” Unity and solidarity remain the only pathways to bringing about meaningful change in their lives and enabling them to live with dignity and safety, far from the horrors of war.
