We are a diverse group of non-Ukrainian nationals who fled the devastation of the war in Ukraine. Like millions of others, we arrived in the Netherlands seeking safety and dignity. A country known for its human rights values welcomed us with temporary protection alongside Ukrainian citizens—a lifeline that allowed us to breathe, to begin healing.

Our journey has been one of hardship, marked by the loss of homes, education, careers, and community. Yet it has also been a journey of resilience. In our shared experiences, we’ve built support systems, found solidarity, and begun to rebuild lives disrupted by conflict.

However, today that protection is under threat. We now face the possibility of exclusion, despite being victims of the same war. We are not asking for special treatment—only equal treatment. Justice and compassion should not be determined by nationality.

We are more than our passports. We are students, workers, families—human beings who believed in Europe’s promise of fairness and dignity for all. Our fight is not just for ourselves, but for the principle that protection must be inclusive.

Justice doesn’t discriminate. Neither should protection.