"Church Sanctuary: Where the Only Sin is Bureaucracy"
Ah, the eternal conundrum of the asylum seeker: where can one find refuge from the long arm of the law, aside from a church, of course? It’s like they say, "You can’t deport someone who’s in the middle of a prayer, it’s just not cricket!" (Or is that just a British thing?)
Meet Ariana, a 14-year-old Uzbekistan-born, Netherlands-raised youngster who’s been living in a church building in Kampen with her family for a few days now. Why, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple really: the government can’t arrest them while they’re in the middle of a church service. It’s like a spiritual game of hide-and-seek, where the prize is not being deported.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Jimmy, Rowan, Ricky, and Lee, this sounds like a bit of a farce." And you’re right, it does! I mean, who needs a passport when you’ve got a pew? But let’s not forget, this is a family who’s been through the wringer, fleeing Uzbekistan eleven years ago and living in an asylum seeker center for eight years. That’s a long time to be in limbo, folks.
Ariana, however, is a beacon of hope and positivity, despite the uncertainty surrounding her family’s future. She’s a math whiz, loves acting, and wants to be an actress one day. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be an actress? It’s a career that’s all about pretending to be someone else, which is basically what asylum seekers have to do every day, right?
But in all seriousness, Ariana’s story highlights the absurdity of the asylum system. I mean, who decides that a country is "safe enough" to return to? Is it like a TripAdvisor review? "Four stars, would not recommend due to high risk of persecution." It’s a bureaucratic nightmare, and one that Ariana and her family are unfortunately stuck in.
The Protestant church, where the family is currently residing, has started a shelter campaign to raise awareness about the situation. And let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a clever move. I mean, who’s going to storm into a church and start arresting people? It’s like trying to deport someone from a monastery – it’s just not going to happen.
Ariana hopes that her story will raise awareness about the plight of asylum seekers like herself. And I hope so too, because let’s face it, folks, this is a human rights issue that needs to be addressed. It’s not just about Ariana and her family; it’s about all the other children who are stuck in this never-ending cycle of uncertainty.
So, what’s the future hold for Ariana? Well, if she becomes an actress, she’ll definitely have a lot of material to draw from. But in all seriousness, she deserves a chance to build a life in the Netherlands, free from the fear of deportation. It’s time for the government to take a long, hard look at its asylum policies and ask itself: "Is this really the kind of society we want to be?"
"Sanctuary: The New Black"
In conclusion, Ariana’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. And if that hope comes in the form of a church sanctuary, then so be it. As the great philosopher, Rowan Atkinson, once said, "I’m not a vegetarian because I love animals. I’m a vegetarian because I hate plants." Similarly, I’m not supporting Ariana’s cause because I love bureaucracy; I’m supporting it because I hate deportation.
Stay tuned, folks, for more updates on Ariana’s story. And who knows, maybe one day she’ll be starring in a film about her experiences as an asylum seeker. Now that’s what I call a blockbuster.
Here is the rewritten article:
Ariana, a 14-year-old asylum seeker, has found a sense of liberation in the unlikeliest of places – a church building in Kampen, Netherlands. For the past few days, she has been living with her family in the Protestant Community Open Hof church, where they have been granted temporary sanctuary from the threat of deportation.
Despite being confined to the church, Ariana is making the most of her situation. She spends her days dancing, listening to music, and attending online classes. “I’m really enjoying my math lessons, even though they can be tough at times,” she says with a smile. Ariana is determined to stay positive and make the best of a difficult situation. “I try to have fun with my family, even though it’s hard. We still have a life, and I want to enjoy it as much as I can.”
Ariana is not alone in her struggles. Her family, including her parents, 20-year-old brother, and two younger sisters (10 and 3 years old), have been fighting for asylum in the Netherlands for over a decade. After fleeing Uzbekistan eleven years ago, they spent eight years living in an asylum seeker center in Emmen, only to have their application for a residence permit rejected. The government deemed Uzbekistan safe enough for them to return to, a decision that Ariana’s family strongly disputes.
In July, the family was detained and faced deportation, but a last-minute court ruling saved them from being sent back to Uzbekistan. They have since submitted a new asylum application, but the outcome is far from certain. If rejected, they will be forced to return to a country that Ariana has only heard about through her parents’ stories.
The church’s decision to provide sanctuary to the Babayants family has given them a sense of security they thought was lost forever. “As long as we’re here, we know we won’t be picked up and deported at a moment’s notice,” Ariana explains. “It’s a huge relief. We have a comfortable room here, with beds and everything we need. We can finally sleep at night without worrying about what might happen tomorrow.”
Ariana is aware that her situation is not unique. “There are many other children like me, living in uncertainty and fear. I hope that by speaking out, I can raise awareness about our situation and the struggles we face.” The Protestant church is supporting the family’s cause, and will continue to hold 24-hour church services until a solution is found.
Ariana’s message to the Dutch people is simple: “We just want to be able to build a life here. We’ve been here for so long, and we feel like we belong. I hope that people will understand our situation and support us.” As for her own future, Ariana has big dreams. “I love acting, and I hope to become an actress one day. I just want to be able to live a normal life, like any other teenager in the Netherlands.”
