Germany has recently deported 81 Afghan nationals, marking the second such operation since the Taliban regained control in 2021 and the first under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new administration. The Interior Ministry confirmed that these individuals, who had previous encounters with the judicial system, were repatriated on a flight organized in collaboration with Qatar. This move reflects Merz’s commitment to a more stringent immigration policy, which aims to address the challenges posed by migration.
The deportees, all male and identified as having criminal records, received financial aid of up to €1,000 each. This decision was influenced by German courts that could impede deportations if returnees faced severe economic hardship upon return. However, there is significant skepticism surrounding such deportations to Afghanistan, where the risk of human rights violations remains high. Organizations like Pro Asyl argue that conditions in Afghanistan are unsafe, underscoring concerns about risks such as torture, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of brutality.
Germany’s deportation policy was paused for over ten months before it resumed under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who promised a more robust approach. His successor, Friedrich Merz, has intensified these efforts, emphasizing stricter migration controls as central to his agenda following the February elections. Shortly after assuming office in May, Merz implemented measures such as increased border checks and restrictions on family reunifications for migrants, leading to a significant drop in asylum applications.
Statistics indicate a notable decline in asylum requests in Germany, reducing from 329,120 in 2023 to 229,751 in 2024. Merz stated these figures demonstrate progress in managing migration but acknowledged that more work is needed to fully address the issues. Although Germany does not formally recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government in Afghanistan, relations have not been entirely severed. Merz noted the importance of technical cooperation with the Taliban regime as Germany navigates its foreign policy.
In a timely context, the flight carrying deported Afghan nationals coincided with a critical high-level meeting hosted by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, involving counterparts from several European nations and the EU’s migration commissioner. This summit, held atop Germany’s tallest mountain, Zugspitze, aims to foster collaboration among European countries tackling migration challenges. The coordination reflects a broader European effort to devise unified responses to ongoing issues related to migration and refugee policies stemming from geopolitical turmoil.
Overall, Germany’s actions illustrate a shifting landscape in immigration policy under the new government, highlighting the tension between domestic legal obligations and international human rights concerns. As the situation in Afghanistan remains precarious, the balance between maintaining national security and protecting human rights will continue to be a critical debate in German and European politics.
