An Afghan father and his eight children, who already live in the Netherlands, will be allowed to welcome their mother into the country after almost two years.

The Dutch immigration authorities first wanted the woman to go to Pakistan to take a citizenship exam, despite the fact that she is illiterate and in poor health. However, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that an exception will be made on compassionate grounds.

The Ministry is keen to point out that the decision is an individual one based on the particular facts of the case, which later became apparent. A strict policy on immigration is one of the mainstays of the current Dutch government’s coalition agreement.

The Director of Dutch refugee organisation VluchtelingenWerk says she is pleased with the decision. “An exam can never be more important than the wellbeing of children who have had to do without their mother for almost two years. Especially since this man is financially independent and not reliant on government aid.”

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

(dd)