Four Afghan families who are on the Dutch evacuation list and say their lives are in danger, are taking legal action against the Dutch state in an effort to force their removal from Afghanistan.

Their lawyer has filed for an injunction calling for their immediate evacuation, the AD reported.

The group reportedly includes three sisters of an interpreter who came to the Netherlands in 2015. ‘They have had threatening letters from the Taliban, which mentioned their brother’s work,’ lawyer Barbara Wegelin told broadcaster NOS.

‘The foreign affairs ministry has admitted they are in danger by putting them on the evacuation list, but they have heard nothing since mid October.’

The group, 17 in total, includes people who only have an ID card, not a passport, but their lawyers say this should not be an obstacle to their safe removal.

‘The Americans have made agreements with Qatar, the Germans with Pakistan,’ Wegelin said. ‘The Netherlands is trailing.’

No date has yet been set for the hearing.