Germany has resumed deportations of Afghan nationals following a suspension that lasted nearly three years, driven by mounting domestic pressure and recent security incidents. Early on Friday, a deportation flight carrying 28 convicted Afghan criminals departed from Leipzig and was scheduled to arrive in Kabul later in the day. This move represents Germany's first repatriation of Afghans since the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021.
The flight's departure comes in the wake of a new German security initiative aimed at tightening asylum policies and accelerating deportations. The recent escalation in security incidents, including a fatal stabbing linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Solingen and another deadly attack by an Afghan refugee in June, has intensified calls for a more stringent approach to immigration.
The deported individuals, all male and convicted of serious crimes, were selected by Germany's Interior Ministry. According to Der Spiegel, each deportee received a payment of €1,000 ($1,100), although this detail was not confirmed by the Saxony Interior Ministry spokesperson. The flight was operated by Qatar Airlines, highlighting the international dimensions of the deportation process.
German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit clarified that Berlin's actions did not involve direct negotiations with the Taliban but were facilitated through regional intermediaries. "We have made intensive efforts to repatriate migrants who have committed serious crimes," Hebestreit said. He underscored that these measures were part of a broader response to recent violent incidents linked to extremist elements.
The recent fatal stabbing in Solingen, which resulted in three deaths, has further spurred German authorities into action. The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian man with alleged ISIS ties, had previously been subject to deportation but had remained in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared that the government will pursue all possible measures to ensure that individuals who are not legally allowed to stay in Germany are deported.
This new security package, unveiled on Thursday, aims to expedite the deportation process for rejected asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants while tightening laws on weapon ownership. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the need to "step up the pace of repatriations" and address irregular migration more effectively.
The resumption of deportations also occurs amid significant political developments, with regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia approaching. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has capitalized on anti-migration sentiment, is currently leading in the polls. The party has used recent attacks to bolster its platform, with regional leader Björn Höcke framing the election as a choice between "Höcke or Solingen."
The decision to resume deportations has sparked debate among German civil society and international observers. ProAsyl, a prominent refugee advocacy group, criticized the move as potentially normalizing the Taliban regime. Tareq Alaows, ProAsyl's refugee policy spokesperson, argued that the deportations signal a "bankruptcy for the constitutional state."
In response, the German foreign ministry has stressed that the deportations do not signify an attempt to normalize relations with the Taliban. The ministry reiterated that negotiations with the Taliban remain problematic due to the group's international status and the ongoing human rights concerns associated with their rule.
Germany is also addressing the issue of deportations to Syria, which were previously suspended. A recent court ruling in Muenster determined that the general danger of civil war in Syria no longer warranted a blanket ban on deportations, although the situation remains complex.
