Germany has deported 28 Afghan nationals charged with criminal offenses in a significant move marking the first such deportation since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The deportation, executed on a Qatar Airways charter jet departing from Leipzig, represents a controversial shift in Germany's stance on immigration, particularly in the context of deporting individuals to countries deemed unsafe, such as Afghanistan.
Details of the Deportation
According to German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, all of the deported Afghan nationals were convicted criminals with no legal right to remain in Germany. The decision to deport them came after deportation orders had been issued. The flight carrying the deportees left for Kabul at 6:56 am local time (04:56 GMT). The Afghan nationals, all men, were gathered from various parts of Germany and brought to Leipzig for the deportation.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser underscored the significance of the action, stating, "Our security counts, our constitutional state acts", while extending gratitude to federal police and state authorities for their collaboration in executing the deportations. This deportation was held despite the absence of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Taliban government, this happen through two months of secret negotiations facilitated by Qatar.
Background and Context
The deportations follow intense public debate and political pressure regarding asylum rules and deportations, particularly in light of recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers. Just a week before the deportation, a deadly knife attack in Solingen, allegedly carried out by a Syrian refugee, resulted in three deaths and prompted a fire debate on asylum policies. The attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian refugee linked to the Islamic State (IS), was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year but disappeared, evading deportation.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, addressing the growing concerns, declared that Germany would resume deportations to Afghanistan and Syria for convicted criminals following a similar attack in Mannheim last May, in which an Afghan immigrant killed a police officer and injured four others. "Those who commit crimes cannot count on us not deporting", Scholz said, showing the government's firm stance on deportations.
Political Implications and New Measures
The deportations are occurring just days before critical regional elections in Thuringia and Saxony, where anti-immigration parties, particularly the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), are predicted to perform well. The elections have intensified the national debate on immigration, with the government seeking to showcase its credibility on law and order.
In response to the Solingen attack, the German government announced a range of measures to tighten security and immigration laws. These include a ban on carrying knives at most public events and on public transport, accelerated deportations for those convicted of knife-related crimes, and the formation of a task force to prevent Islamist extremism.
Additionally, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser introduced a policy to cut welfare benefits for asylum seekers who had already registered in another European Union country, in line with the EU's Dublin Regulation. Faeser emphasized that no one would be left destitute, as the responsibility for providing benefits would shift to the first EU country in which asylum was claimed.
Criticism and Human Rights Concerns
While the German government has defended the deportations as necessary for public safety, human rights organizations have voiced strong opposition. Amnesty International condemned the deportations, asserting that sending individuals to a country where they might face torture or other human rights abuses is a violation of international law. The organization argued, "We all have human rights – and no one should be deported to a country where there is a risk of torture".
Germany's decision to deport Afghan nationals has drawn significant attention, particularly given the Taliban's track record on human rights, where women are now banned from speaking in public & more strict on Morality laws . Despite the criticism, the German government appears committed to its stance on deportations, with further deportations already in the planning stages.
As Germany continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration and national security, the deportations signal is toughened stance by the government, particularly ahead of key elections. With mounting public pressure and the rise of anti-immigration sentiment, it remains to be seen how these policies will impact the broader political landscape in Germany.
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