# Afghan Guards Denied Dutch Asylum Face Constant Security Threats Former security personnel for the Netherlands in Afghanistan remain stranded and in hiding. - **Source:** [Trouw](https://www.trouw.nl) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7e578b55-05a8-4873-9968-5864bf4c578d ## Denied Asylum Status Afghan guards who previously worked for the Netherlands are currently facing a dire situation. Despite their past service, they have been officially denied entry to the Netherlands. This decision leaves them without a clear pathway to safety, forcing them to remain in a country where their former employment poses significant risks. ## Living in Hiding The individuals involved report that they no longer dare to walk the streets freely. They are forced to live in constant hiding to avoid detection by hostile actors who view their past cooperation with Western forces as a betrayal. This daily reality creates a state of perpetual fear for their lives. ## Constant Psychological Pressure One guard explicitly stated that he is constantly afraid for his safety and future. The psychological toll of being abandoned by the nation they served is immense. They are trapped in a precarious environment where every movement outside their secure locations could potentially lead to immediate and severe physical harm. ## Service and Abandonment These guards provided essential security services for Dutch operations during the international mission in Afghanistan. Their role was critical for protecting personnel and infrastructure. However, the current policy framework excludes them from evacuation programs, effectively leaving them behind to face the consequences of their professional association with the Dutch state. ## The Security Vacuum Since the withdrawal of international forces, the security situation for local staff has deteriorated rapidly. Former employees of foreign missions are frequently targeted by groups seeking retribution. Without official protection or asylum status, these guards lack the resources to relocate or defend themselves against the rising threats in their local communities. ## Policy Limitations The Dutch government's current stance on asylum eligibility remains a major point of contention for these workers. Strict criteria for evacuation have left many who served in support roles ineligible for relocation. This bureaucratic barrier is the primary reason these individuals remain stranded in a hostile environment without any legal recourse. ## Daily Survival Tactics Survival for these guards involves extreme caution and isolation from public life. They avoid known routes, change their locations frequently, and rely on limited support networks to obtain basic necessities. This lifestyle is unsustainable long-term, yet they have no alternative options for safety or legal migration to a secure country. ## Implications of Exclusion The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by local staff who supported international missions. The exclusion of these guards raises questions about the responsibility of nations toward those who risked their lives for them. Their ongoing struggle serves as a stark reminder of the human cost associated with restrictive asylum policies. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/deze-afghaanse-bewakers-mogen-niet-naar-nederland-maar-durven-niet-over-straat-ik-ben-voortdurend-bang~b52ea562/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._