We fled the same war. We experienced the same fear, destruction, and loss. Yet, because we are not Ukrainian citizens, our right to protection in the Netherlands is now being denied. This is not just a legal oversight—it is a humanitarian failure.

While we understand the complexities of migration and international law, we must speak out against the arbitrary nature of this decision. It draws an unjust line between people who shared the same escape route, the same trauma, and the same hope for safety. Citizenship should not determine the worth of a human life.

This policy threatens to create a dangerous precedent—one where empathy, justice, and solidarity are applied selectively. That is not the Europe we believed in. That is not the Netherlands we hoped would shelter us.

We are not just temporary residents or legal cases. We are students, workers, parents, and neighbors. We are part of the fabric of this society. Our demonstration is more than a protest—it is a stand for dignity, fairness, and inclusion.

We ask not for special treatment, but for equal treatment. We demand recognition of our humanity, our contributions, and our right to feel safe and respected.

This is a plea for justice.
This is a call for compassion.
This is our fight for equal protection.