Germany allows Taliban 'support team' to enter for increased deportations

Germany has granted temporary entry to a Taliban "support team" to facilitate a greater number of deportations to Afghanistan, a move that highlights a pragmatic, albeit controversial, cooperation between the two entities. The German government, while not officially recognizing the Taliban regime, is working with them to achieve its goal of returning individuals to Afghanistan, particularly those with criminal records.

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For the goal agreed upon in the coalition agreement to carry out returns to Afghanistan, documents must be issued that the de facto government recognizes.

According to the Foreign Office, issuing the necessary documents for deportations requires the recognition of these documents by the de facto government in Afghanistan. To expedite this process and ensure technical prerequisites are met, especially as deportation numbers are expected to rise, a temporary "technical support team" was allowed to enter Germany. This arrangement allows for the issuance of travel documents necessary for the return of individuals to Afghanistan.

This cooperation has sparked criticism from within Germany, notably from the Green and Left parties. They argue that the government is making practical concessions to enable deportations, despite not officially acknowledging the Taliban administration. Critics point to the systematic human rights violations under Taliban rule, particularly the severe curtailment of women's rights since they seized power five years ago, as reasons for concern.

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To quickly create these technical prerequisites, a technical support team has entered for a short time.

Since the current legislative period began, Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior reports that 228 men have been deported to Afghanistan, primarily offenders. A previous mass deportation in early June was canceled due to a lack of cooperation from the Taliban authorities, who expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived unwillingness of German Foreign Office representatives to engage in meaningful dialogue. The current arrangement aims to circumvent such obstacles and ensure a more consistent return process.

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Green and Left parties criticize that the federal government is making practical concessions to enable deportations, although it does not recognize the Taliban government.