Germany executed its first deportation of Afghan nationals to their home country since the Taliban assumed control in August 2021. This move marks a significant shift in Germany’s immigration policy, which had been on hold since the Taliban’s takeover.
The deportation was carried out on Friday, with a chartered Qatar Airways flight departing from Leipzig airport bound for Kabul. According to Der Spiegel, the flight carried 28 Afghan nationals who were all convicted offenders. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that these individuals had no legal right to remain in Germany and had outstanding deportation orders against them.
The operation followed two months of “secret negotiations” facilitated by Qatar, which acted as an intermediary between Berlin and the Taliban authorities. Hebestreit noted that Germany had sought assistance from key regional partners to enable the deportations, though specific details were not disclosed.
Germany had previously halted all deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s rise to power. This policy shift was driven by the challenging and precarious situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, which had raised concerns about the safety and human rights of those being deported.
The resumption of deportations comes as Germany faces mounting pressure to address illegal migration and take a tougher stance on dangerous and convicted asylum seekers. Recent high-profile crimes committed by migrants have intensified the debate on this issue.
One such incident was last week’s knife attack at a street festival in Solingen, western Germany, where a 26-year-old Syrian man allegedly killed three people. This suspect had been scheduled for deportation to Bulgaria weeks earlier, but authorities were unable to locate him, leading to heightened scrutiny of Germany’s immigration enforcement.
In another case, a 25-year-old Afghan was accused of murdering a police officer in Mannheim in May, a brutal act that further fueled the debate over deportations. The attack underscored the challenges Germany faces in managing asylum policies and the balance between security and humanitarian concerns.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Thursday that Germany would soon resume expulsions to Syria and Afghanistan as part of a broader package to tighten security and reform asylum policies. This move reflects the government’s response to growing public discontent and political pressure regarding immigration issues.
The topic of immigration and deportations is anticipated to play a significant role in two regional elections in eastern Germany scheduled for this Sunday. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its strong anti-immigration stance, is expected to make substantial gains in these elections. The outcomes could influence national policy and shape the political landscape in the coming months.
Germany’s decision to resume deportations to Afghanistan reflects a complex and evolving approach to immigration and security. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by European countries in managing asylum seekers and addressing public concerns over safety and integration. As Germany continues to grapple with these issues, the impact of recent policy changes and upcoming elections will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
