Germany has resumed the deportation of convicted criminals of Afghan nationality back to Afghanistan, marking a significant policy reversal under the coalition government. The decision comes amid growing domestic pressure for stricter migration controls, particularly after recent violent incidents involving Afghan nationals.
On Friday, a flight carrying 28 Afghan nationals who had been convicted of crimes departed from Leipzig to Kabul, following months of confidential negotiations with Qatar, which acted as a mediator. The German government expressed gratitude to its regional partners for their support and indicated that further deportations are being planned.
Germany had previously halted deportations to Afghanistan in 2021 due to human rights concerns after the Taliban took power. However, the political climate has shifted, with rising concerns about public safety, particularly after a deadly stabbing linked to Islamic State at a city festival and the murder of a German policeman by an Afghan national in June.
The timing of the deportations is notable, as two eastern German states, where the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is gaining popularity, are set to hold elections soon. The decision to resume deportations also reflects ongoing debates within Germany about how to balance human rights considerations with national security concerns.
Negotiations with the Taliban, some of whose members are under international sanctions, are seen as controversial, but the German government appears committed to continuing this approach in its efforts to address migration and security issues.
Melissa Enoch
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