A number of Iraqi families and individuals are to be deported from the Netherlands on Thursday, the home affairs ministry has confirmed to news agency Novum.

According to refugee organisation Vluchtelingenwerk, eight families with children are on the deportation list. It is the first time families have been deported to Iraq for some time.
The ministry told Novum all the cases had gone through the legal system and Iraq is considered safe enough for families.
According to Nos television, three immigration police officials will accompany each family and two have been assigned to each individual on the flight
Vluchtelingenwerk has urged the Dutch government to make sure Iraq agrees not to detain the families on their arrival back in Bagdad.