The Netherlands Is an Unjust Country!!!!!!!!

Before coming to the Netherlands, I used to hear that it was a fair country one that welcomes good people and values those who love studying, working, and building a future. I arrived in this country carrying that image in my mind, but I was shocked by a completely different reality: a dark reality filled with long waiting, disappointment, and a lack of humanity.

I arrived in the Netherlands two years ago in search of safety and human dignity. I did not leave my homeland except out of necessity, after enduring harsh conditions and making great sacrifices during my journey here. I came believing that justice and human rights were not merely slogans to be raised, but values that are practiced and that protect people when they are at their weakest. What I encountered, however, was a deep shock and great disappointment. I came to realize that the biggest mistake I made was choosing this country, where I found no true sense of humanity.

From the moment I arrived, I suffered from poor treatment in accommodation. Inhumane conditions, clear neglect, and a constant feeling that I was nothing more than a number in a file not a human being with a story or dignity. The accommodation was not just unsuitable; it became a daily psychological burden that increased my fear and anxiety and stripped me of my most basic right to feel safe and respected.

I waited for the asylum decision for two full years two years of constant anxiety, instability, and a life suspended between fading hope and endless fear. Two years with no clarity about the future, no ability to build a life, no sense of belonging, and not even the ability to plan for a single day ahead. During this time, I never felt that my suffering was understood or that my humanitarian situation was taken seriously or responsibly.

In the end, after all this long waiting, the decision came cold and devoid of any sense of the human being who waited, suffered, and endured. The rejection ignored everything I went through, all the reasons that forced me to seek protection, and the deep psychological impact left by this harsh experience.

What happened to me was not merely a legal procedure, but a painful human experience. Injustice lies not only in the decision itself, but in the approach, the way people are treated, and the absence of compassion. When a person’s voice is taken away, their story ignored, and their pain reduced to papers and files, humanity is lost no matter how many slogans are proclaimed.

I write this text not out of hatred, but out of pain. I write it to say that justice is not measured by laws alone, but by how they are applied to human beings, and by the mercy shown to those who ask for nothing more than safety. Sadly, this country long praised for its humanitarian values has, in my experience, fallen to the lowest moral and human standards.

The Lie of Europe

When you imagine Europe, freedom, democracy, and human rights immediately come to mind. You picture clean cities, advanced social services, and respect for the rule of law. You imagine a dignified life and a secure future. This image turns Europe into a dream for anyone seeking safety and stability. Yet reality often differs greatly from the idealized picture promoted by the media or presented in campaigns.

I applied for asylum in the Netherlands, hoping to find protection and a better life. My application was rejected. Without hesitation, I submitted another request, this time in a different way, hoping my circumstances would be taken into consideration.

After submitting my application, I waited patiently for two full years, living with hope and perseverance. I tried to learn the language, integrate into Dutch society, and prove that I am a hardworking person who wants to live peacefully and respect the law. I worked hard, learned new things every day, and participated in every possible activity to improve myself.

During this period, I worked in a restaurant for three months and paid taxes regularly. I wanted to continue working there, but unfortunately, the restaurant suddenly closed. After that, I searched for other jobs and did everything I could to find stable work, but I was repeatedly rejected due to a lack of proper documents.

When I attended the second interview, the experience was shocking. Only four days later, the rejection decision came—fast and harsh—as if everything had already been decided in advance. In that moment, I felt deep shock and profound disappointment, as if all the effort, learning, and work I had invested had been wasted.

I realized that the system does not reward hard work, and that those who strive may still remain without protection or rights, and that two years of patience are rewarded only with disappointment. The bigger problem lies in Dutch policies and official procedures, which are often strict, complicated, and unfair, and rarely give hardworking people a real chance.

The painful truth is that many people come to the Netherlands, study, work, integrate into society, and do everything they can, yet end up with nothing. At the same time, there are others who do not learn the language, do not want to work or study, do not integrate, and even create problems—yet they receive everything easily. This injustice kills hope in the hearts of hardworking people, makes patience and struggle feel meaningless, and deepens feelings of betrayal and despair.

What is even more cruel is that I do not have a safe country or a place where I truly feel secure. I feel trapped between a harsh reality and a system that does not value my efforts or recognize my humanity.

Dutch policies, often presented as symbols of human rights and justice, can in reality turn into laws that make refugees feel that their lives and suffering have no value, and that the dream of a safe life turns into a nightmare of waiting, rejection, and repeated disappointment.

The Netherlands is not a complete lie, but its policies often are. It is a land of opportunities, but also a land of strict laws and harsh bureaucracy, where procedures are given more importance than compassion. Sometimes, those who make no effort are rewarded, while those who work hard receive nothing.

“The Lie of Europe” is not just a phrase, but a real experience shared by many refugees who studied, integrated, and worked sincerely, yet ended up without protection or a future. It is a painful gap between image and reality, between promises and truth, leaving the heart heavy with sorrow after long patience and tireless effort.

Here, everything seemed to be sinking into darkness… or so it felt at that moment.!!!!!!!! 🖤

After more than two years of waiting—years filled with fear, patience, and the hope I clung to day after day—the rejection of my asylum application came as a cruel end to what I had thought was the beginning of a new life.

I didn't leave my country for adventure, nor in search of comfort or an easy opportunity. I left because the wars, bombings, and tragedies I endured left me no other choice. I witnessed things no human being should ever have to see. I lost irreplaceable things, and I carry with me a pain I can't shake off. Leaving wasn't an act of heroism; it was an act of survival. My journey was fraught with danger; at every moment, I was at risk of arrest or death, yet I kept going because staying was impossible.

When I arrived in the Netherlands, I didn't arrive empty-handed or without ambition. I arrived with big dreams, clear plans, and a sincere determination to build a different future. From the beginning, I was determined to study because I believe that education is the only way to rebuild a person after devastation. I saw in studying a path to integration, self-development, and a way to give back to the society that had provided me with security, even if only temporarily.

I learned the language and persevered despite the fear and instability. I was honest in everything I said and did. I hid nothing, exaggerated nothing, and never sought false sympathy. I spoke about my experiences as they were because I believe that honesty is the one thing I cannot abandon, even if the consequences are dire. I tried to integrate completely, to be a part of society, and to build a meaningful life, but this was my reward. After all the effort, all the studying, and all the sacrifices, I was rejected. The world can be incredibly unfair.

I set long-term goals for myself and envisioned a life where I would be a productive, independent, and responsible individual. I didn't want to remain trapped in the role of a victim. I wanted to be a person of value, someone who contributes, learns, and grows despite everything I've been through.

I planned my future step by step: first education, then work, then a stable life built on dignity and respect. I postponed my small dreams, endured loneliness, and convinced myself that all this waiting was meaningful, that the end would be fair someday.

But the rejection didn't just halt a legal case; it stopped an entire life that was still taking shape. Suddenly, all my plans stopped, and all my goals were left without a solid foundation. I felt that my efforts over more than two years had vanished in an instant, and that all the work I'd done to integrate and build myself up had been for nothing.

The fear returned, but this time it was different. It wasn't fear of the past, but fear of the unknown, of an uncertain future, of lost dreams, and of living without stability or clarity.

Yet, despite all this pain, I say it clearly: I haven't given up, and I never will.

Disappointment may weigh me down, but I will not break. Deep down, I have a firm belief that God does not abandon those who persevere, and that truth never prevails. I trust that relief will come, even if it is delayed, and that God is capable of opening many doors for me that I cannot see now, and of guiding me to a path better than I ever imagined.

This text is neither a complaint nor an accusation. It is the confession of a person trying to understand how a dream can be rejected, and how a life can be brought to a standstill, despite sincere effort and good intentions.

Despite everything, I still believe that my dreams were not wrong, and that my desire to study and build a dignified future is not a crime.

I have not given up. My journey is not over.

It continues, and I will keep moving forward.

15/01/2026

The last full moon of 2025

Amid the shadows of the trees and the damp warmth of the morning earth, I encountered this delicate creature — the little wood bird.

It rested quietly at the edge of the path, gazing at the world with curious, gentle eyes, as if contemplating the vastness of life from its humble place.

Its soft brown and gray feathers blended perfectly with the tones of the ground and the tree behind it, forming a serene autumn painting.

Perhaps this bird had fallen from its nest, or perhaps it had simply set out early to explore the world on its own — no one knows. Yet in its tiny features lies a story of new beginnings and the quiet courage that drives all living things to face life, even in their fragility.

Moments like this remind us that beauty doesn’t lie in perfection, but in honesty and simplicity — in a small bird meeting the vastness of nature with humble confidence.

7/10/2025

My name is Makhmud, of Syrian-Ukrainian descent. I'm an aspiring photographer at the beginning of my career. I capture the beauty of everyday moments and tell stories through my lens.

I currently use an iPhone , believing that creativity isn't defined by equipment, but by the eye that sees what others may miss.

I find inspiration in the natural world. I love photographing stunning natural scenes, light, and landscapes that reflect the magical tranquility around us.

I'm gradually developing my skills, learning, experimenting, and growing with every shot.

My dream is to one day own a professional camera and equipment so I can develop my passion and become the photographer I aspire to be.

Welcome to my world, where simple beginnings create the most wonderful journeys.

1/10/2025

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The last full moon of 2025

Amid the shadows of the trees and the damp warmth of the morning earth, I encountered this delicate creature — the little wood bird.

I find inspiration in the natural world. I love photographing stunning natural scenes, light, and landscapes that reflect the magical tranquility around us.

makhmodnaser@gmail.com