A Dutch Protestant church ends 24/7 service protecting Armenian asylum-seekers from deportation – Government will review the decision

A Dutch Protestant church ends 24/7 service protecting Armenian asylum-seekers from deportation – Government will review the decision

19:10,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. A Dutch Protestant church has ended a non-stop service that started in October to protect a family of Armenian asylum-seekers from deportation after the government announced changes to its immigration policy, ARMENPRESS reports, citing The New York Times.

The Bethel Church, a small chapel in a Hague residential neighborhood, announced the end of the 24-7 service Wednesday, a day after the Dutch ruling coalition announced it will review hundreds of asylum applications by children that previously were rejected.

Church official Theo Hettema said in a statement that "we are incredibly grateful for a safe future in the Netherlands for hundreds of refugee families."

The round-the-clock church service began Oct. 26 to protect the Tamrazyan family — parents, their two daughters and a son. Dutch law prohibits authorities from entering a church building while a service is underway.