Uzbek Family ‘Bivakkeert’ in Dutch Church to Halt Deportation: Babayants’ Story

Title: The Babayants’ Plight: A Family’s Struggle for Asylum in Kampen‘s Church

In an emotional display of desperation, the Oezbeekse (Uzbek) family Babayants has taken refuge in Kampen’s Church to evade deportation. The family, comprising two parents and their three children, has been granted a temporary stay in the Netherlands due to the unsafe conditions in their homeland but faces an impending deadline.

"We are scared, very scared," remarked the Babayants’ spokesperson, highlighting their fear of being sent back to Uzbekistan, where they have faced persecution. The family has taken to camping inside the sacred walls of the church, an iconic symbol of Kampen, in hope of swaying the authorities’ decision.

Kampen’s church community has rallied around the family, planning a Christmas vigil, serenading them with carols to boost their morale. "We will gather on Christmas night to sing our hearts out," said a local choir member, reflecting the town’s solidarity with the Babayants.

The Kampen Church Asylum Seeker Group has been at the forefront of supporting the family, negotiating with the authorities and raising awareness about their plight. The group’s leader, however, expressed concern, "The Babayants are a direct appeal to our humanity. We hope our effort inspires others to stand up for their rights."

This act of defiance is not new for the church, which has a long-standing tradition of providing shelter to those in need. Throughout centuries, it has offered refuge to persecuted individuals, including during the WWII when it hid Jews from the Nazi regime.

Protestant Kerk Nederland (PKN) has extended its support to the church, criticizing the asylum policy that seemingly turns a blind eye to children’s welfare. "We must not lose sight of the children in this equation," stressed a PKN spokesperson, echoing the church’s stance.

As the Babayants’ fate hangs in the balance, the town of Kampen, along with its church community, remains resolute in their commitment to providing sanctuary and hope for the family’s future. Theirs is a struggle not just for asylum, but also for dignity and humanity.