A stark and troubling reality is emerging from the German government’s handling of Afghan deportations, raising serious questions about legal compliance, humanitarian obligations and the efficacy of the procedures in place. According to a recent parliamentary response to a written inquiry from Green Party parliamentarian Schahina Gambir, only 22 of nearly 250 Afghan individuals forcibly returned to Afghanistan after previously receiving assurances of acceptance in Germany have been able to return to Pakistan.
The figures, reported by the “Rheinische Post”, highlight a significant disconnect between initial promises and the practical realities faced by vulnerable individuals. Further compounding the concerns, a separate response to a smaller parliamentary inquiry revealed that the German government is actively assisting only 53 of the deported individuals with the issuance of Pakistani visas necessary for their return.
Gambir condemned the government’s actions as “irresponsible” accusing it of failing to uphold both its legal and humanitarian duties in protecting individuals facing potential harm in Afghanistan. The politician’s criticism centers on the apparent lack of a comprehensive strategy for managing the long-term consequences of these deportations.
Crucially, the government’s admission that it is unaware of the number of outstanding security interviews further fuels skepticism about the thoroughness of the assessment process. This lack of transparency, combined with the low number of returns facilitated, raises doubts about whether adequate safeguards are being employed to protect individuals from persecution and danger after their initial deportation. The situation is prompting renewed calls for a reassessment of Germany’s deportation policies towards Afghanistan and a commitment to offering more robust protection for those at risk.