An increasing number of acceptance pledges for asylum seekers from Afghanistan, which were withdrawn by the federal government, are currently before the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. According to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” this information comes from the Federal Ministry of the Interior’s response to an inquiry from the left-wing parliamentary group in the Bundestag. As of April 10, 2026, there are known to be “ten cases or preliminary injunctions before the Federal Constitutional Court”.
Furthermore, in recent weeks, all support provided by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has been withdrawn for approximately 300 Afghans, primarily living in Pakistan, who faced withdrawn acceptance pledges. These individuals were instructed to leave accommodations considered safe and either return to Afghanistan or continue traveling to a third country.
Clara Bünger, the left-wing parliamentary group’s spokesperson on asylum policy, criticized the federal government’s actions, stating, “The absolute minimum would be to wait for an upcoming foundational decision by the Federal Constitutional Court before putting affected people at risk so lightly”. In her statement to noz, she added, “After years of support, the federal government has simply locked people in danger out the door and stopped all aid. This is a moral failure of the highest order”. She also pointed out that the German military mission in Afghanistan was originally justified by the rights of women, yet the federal government is now sending “particularly vulnerable women under its care right back to the Taliban terrorists”.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior reported that as of March 31, 2026, around 100 people with withdrawn acceptance pledges stated they were willing to accept a return support offer from the federal government to Afghanistan. The government continues to provide care for 785 individuals whose acceptance pledges were cancelled, noting that legal remedies are pending in these cases and that there are currently about 500 court cases running concerning this group, according to the federal government. Bünger argued, “When it comes to keeping one’s word, the government cannot leave the decision to the courts”. She insisted that “all original acceptance pledges must be implemented quickly and uncomplicatedly”. This situation relates to an agreement made in the coalition contract between the Union and the SPD to end voluntary acceptances as much as possible.