Germany’s Foreign Office is facing potential fines after a Berlin administrative court issued a directive demanding concrete action regarding visa issuance for Afghan nationals previously granted admission commitments. According to a report in the “Welt” newspaper, the court issued a written order outlining the requirements.
The court has previously issued a total of 20 similar urgent rulings, mandating the issuance of visas to Afghans accepted for entry under the federal admission program. The rulings cite that the federal republic is legally obligated to honor its non-revocable commitments of admission. One of the plaintiffs is a legal lecturer currently awaiting visa approval for thirteen family members residing in Pakistan.
In some instances, the Foreign Office initially appealed to the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court. At least one such appeal was recently dismissed by the Higher Administrative Court, refusing to suspend the implementation of the court’s original ruling. Following this decision, the Berlin administrative court requested a detailed account of steps taken – or to be taken – to process visa applications by 2:00 PM on Wednesday. Failure to comply could result in the imposition of a coercive fine. The Foreign Office did not respond to the “Welt’s” inquiry regarding the matter within the specified timeframe.
A court spokesperson confirmed the proceedings to the newspaper, stating they await a response from the Foreign Office before issuing a final decision.
More than 2,000 Afghan nationals remain in Pakistan, seeking to enter Germany through the federal admission program and related initiatives. Pakistani authorities have recently increased efforts to deport those Afghans whose Pakistani visas have largely expired.