The Netherlands must allow 42 Afghans who worked as security guards in the Dutch embassy in Kabul to enter the country, a court ruled on Tuesday.

The former staff said they were in danger in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule.

In its reasoning, the district court in The Hague stated that the Netherlands had not sufficiently fulfilled its duty of care towards them and had therefore acted unlawfully.

According to the ruling, the Afghans must undergo the standard asylum screening procedures upon arrival.

This also applies to their partners and dependent children under the age of 18, who are permitted to accompany them.

The Netherlands is required to facilitate their transport and entry, but has no influence on whether they are issued with the necessary documents to leave Afghanistan, the court said.

The decision follows similar cases in Germany, where courts have ruled that former Afghan staff must be allowed to enter the country.

(dpa/NAN)