By Elena Cavallone
THE HAGUE (euronews.com) — A small miracle happened in a residential neighborhood of the Hague. A church protected a family of Armenians from being deported. Priests and neighbors set up a non-stop mass for three months, as Dutch law prevents police from entering during a religious service.
It was an incredible experience of human solidarity, Isolde Verburgt, a close neighbor remembers.
“A lot of people that came were not believers, other yes. I think it was about heartwarming and charity, love for each other, like the church used to say. I felt like joining this initiative because I wanted to stand for all the children that should receive protection. That was the reason that led also other people to join.”
The Tamrazyan family had fled nine years ago from Armenia because the father was considered an opponent of the government. Once they arrived in the Netherlands, they had sought asylum but after five years the authorities have denied the refugee status to the whole family.
The Tamrazyan had then requested the so-called “Kinderpardon,” which guarantees asylum to families whose children have been living in the country for at least five years.
