Germany resumed deporting convicted Afghan criminals to Afghanistan, a move influenced by recent violent incidents and amid regional elections where migration is a key issue, Reuters reports.
The decision to restart deportations, which had been paused since the Taliban took power in 2021 due to human rights concerns, follows recent incidents involving Afghan nationals, including a stabbing at a festival and a fatal attack on a German policeman.
The first flight, carrying 28 convicted criminals, departed from Leipzig to Kabul after secret negotiations facilitated by Qatar. Scholz confirmed the deportations but emphasized that Germany is not normalizing relations with the Taliban. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck stressed that asylum rights in Germany remain protected. Additionally, Germany is working on deportations to Syria, which had been previously banned but are now being reconsidered following a court ruling that the civil war conditions no longer pose a general danger.
The move has sparked criticism from organizations like ProAsyl, which argues that it risks normalizing the Taliban regime. However, Germany’s Foreign Ministry stated that this action does not signify a formal recognition of the Taliban. This decision comes amidst growing public and political pressure, particularly from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained traction with its anti-migration stance.
