Germany resumes deportations to Afghanistan

Germany has resumed deporting convicted Afghan criminals, just days before key regional elections where migration is a hot topic.

The decision marks a shift from Berlin's previous halt on deportations to Afghanistan due to human rights concerns following the Taliban's rise to power in 2021, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The move comes amid mounting pressure on the coalition government to address migration issues, heightened by recent violent incidents linked to Afghan nationals, including a fatal stabbing at a city festival and another attack in June where an Afghan man killed a German police officer.

On August 29, the government unveiled a new package aimed at tightening asylum policies and expediting deportations. This decision is influenced by the upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads in polls with a strong anti-migration platform.

A flight carrying 28 convicted Afghan criminals departed from Leipzig for Kabul on August 29, following months of discreet negotiations mediated by Qatar. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the resumption of deportations in a press conference, stating, “We have prepared this carefully without talking about it much.”

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck emphasized that Germany's right to asylum remains intact, despite the deportations. The government expressed gratitude to unnamed "key regional partners" for their support and indicated ongoing efforts to facilitate further deportations.

Qatar played a crucial role in negotiating the return of Afghans by liaising between Germany and the Taliban, based on Germany's request and the Taliban's acceptance.

The deportations, however, have sparked controversy. ProAsyl, a German NGO, criticized the move as potentially normalizing the Taliban regime, calling it a “declaration of bankruptcy for the constitutional state.”

The German foreign ministry reassured that the deportations do not signify an official normalization of relations with the Taliban. Besides Afghanistan, Germany is also working on deporting individuals deemed serious criminal threats to Syria. Despite a previous ban, a recent court ruling has allowed for some deportations to Syria, noting a reduced risk of civil war for asylum seekers.

Asylum applications in Germany decreased by 19.7% in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the previous year, totalling 140,783. The largest number of applications came from Syria and Afghanistan. Public sentiment on deportations remains sensitive, with past incidents, such as a 2018 case where a deported Afghan refugee committed suicide upon arrival in Kabul, having a significant impact.