Germany planning another deportation flight to Afghanistan

FRANKFURT: Germany is planning deportation of a group of convicted criminals of Afghan nationality to their home country for the second time since the Taliban took power, newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Friday.

The newspaper quoted the interior ministry as saying it was working on the measure with the help of a regional partner and eyeing a departure shortly before Germany’s Feb. 23 general election.

A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that it is working on further deportations, but added that they have nothing to do with the election and that the flights will be carried out as soon as all conditions will be met.

German politicians are sharpening their stance on migration after violent attacks linked to foreign suspects, with Friedrich Merz, the chancellor candidate for the two allied conservative parties (CDU/CSU) and the front-runner in the election, planning to submit a controversial migration motion in the parliament next week.

Some critics say this move could potentially open the door to cooperation with the far-right nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is now in second place in nationwide polls.

Berlin initially stopped returning people to Afghanistan because of human rights concerns after the Taliban took power in 2021.

It had, however, sent one deportation flight thanks to the mediation of Qatar in August last year, right before regional elections in eastern Germany that saw the ruling Social Democrats and their coalition partner, the Greens, faring poorly.

A decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to halt visa processing for refugees has caused uncertainty and shock for Afghans in different parts of the world who are awaiting resettlement in the United States.

Some feel betrayed, with many – including those who fled Taliban rule in Afghanistan – having already spent years in limbo.

Sayed Hasib Ullah, a 20-year old teacher whose application for resettlement in the US is in process, told Reuters at an English school for Afghans in Islamabad, “It was really a horrible moment for us. We have been waiting for almost three years and there is no hope anymore.”