Embassy children return to the Netherlands

Two children who sought refuge at the Dutch embassy in Damascus several months ago have arrived in the Netherlands. The children, 13-year-old Ammar and his 11-year-old sister Sara, were met at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport by Foreign Minister Ben Bot, who brought them to an undisclosed destination to be reunited with their mother.

Two years ago, they were taken to Damascus by their Syrian father. The children escaped six months ago and sought refuge at the Dutch embassy in Damascus.

After months of diplomatic pressure from the Netherlands, the Syrian government and the father agreed to allow the children to return home. In exchange, the Dutch government agreed to withdraw an arrest warrant against the father, who will be allowed to visit the children.

Source: Radio Netherlands, 22 December 2006