Negotiations are underway between the German Interior Ministry and the Taliban regarding potential deportations to Afghanistan, a move drawing sharp criticism from within the German parliament. Clara Bünger, parliamentary group vice chair for the Left party, voiced strong disapproval, stating that engaging in negotiations with the Taliban risks legitimizing and minimizing the group’s designation as a terrorist organization.
The Left party contends that the stated aim of these discussions appears to be facilitating large-scale deportations to a nation where documented human rights abuses, including torture, public executions and corporal punishment, are prevalent. The party spokesperson further argued that such agreements could implicate Germany in these abuses.
Rather than bolstering the voices of Afghan civil society and women’s rights activists, this approach is perceived as reinforcing the Taliban regime, a development described as deeply concerning.
However, the initiative has garnered support from within the governing coalition. Alexander Throm, the CDU’s interior policy spokesperson, welcomed the negotiations, stating that the proposal had long been advocated by the CDU/CSU bloc. He underscored the need to deport individuals who commit crimes in Germany following their sentence completion, irrespective of their origin, including those from Syria and Afghanistan, as crucial for maintaining public support for the asylum system.
The SPD has also endorsed the strategy, with Parlimentary Secretary Dirk Wiese asserting the necessity of deporting convicted criminals and potential threats to Afghanistan. Wiese suggested leveraging existing channels of communication through Qatar to maintain contact with relevant bodies within Afghanistan without establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban.