The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has cautioned against strengthening the international legitimacy of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan through increased deportations.
Sonja Eichwede, Deputy Leader of the SPD parliamentary group, told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that while “possible channels of communication” are necessary to facilitate deportations, this should not normalize or make the relationship with the Taliban regime routine. She emphasized the need for a “very sensitive approach” reiterating the coalition agreement’s commitment to repatriating individuals to Afghanistan, primarily focusing on criminals and security risks.
However, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s proposal has garnered support from other political figures. Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) stated to Focus that those who disregard Germany’s laws must leave the country, framing it as a matter of justice and upholding the rule of law. He stressed the necessity of concluding more readmission agreements, even with challenging partners like the Taliban.
Rhein lauded Alexander Dobrindt’s initiative to engage in direct talks with the Taliban to expedite the return of criminals, describing it as a crucial step towards greater order in Germany’s migration policy. He added that the repatriation of offenders is a central component of a more effective approach to migration management.