Germany resumes deportations to Afghanistan
The German government has deported people to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban took power in 2021. A charter plane departed from Leipzig/Halle Airport on Friday heading toward the country. According to media reports, there were several Afghan nationals on board who had been classified as criminals in Germany.
The decision to carry out these deportations follows a lengthy political debate in Germany. After a deadly knife attack in Mannheim in May of this year, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany would once again deport criminals and individuals deemed a threat to their countries of origin, even if those countries are Afghanistan or Syria.
Executing the deportation was logistically complex, as Germany does not maintain direct diplomatic relations with the Taliban government. According to the federal government, it worked with a neighboring country of Afghanistan to facilitate the flight, which provided assistance in mediation. Details regarding this cooperation were not made public for security reasons.
The measure has sparked controversial discussions in Germany. While proponents emphasize that the rule of law must act consistently regarding criminals, human rights organizations are warning of the dangers facing those deported to Afghanistan. The government, however, stresses that safety in Germany takes priority and that the repatriation of criminals is an important part of migration policy.