Germany eases deportation rules for Afghans, sparking criticism

Germany's federal government has created conditions for more deportations to Afghanistan, according to the Hessian Ministry of the Interior. The Federal Police have reportedly lifted previous restrictions that limited the presentation of Afghan nationals for identification purposes to only criminals and individuals deemed dangerous.

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that the previously existing restrictions on the presentation of Afghan nationals for identification - criminals and dangerous individuals - have been lifted.

Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck confirmed that the federal government has established the prerequisites for "regular deportations of those obliged to leave the country to Afghanistan in the future." He emphasized that while Hessen's focus will continue to be on deporting criminals and dangerous individuals, the state "will also make use of broader possibilities."

The identification process mentioned in the decree involves collaboration with representatives of the Taliban regime to clarify the identities of individuals obligated to leave and, if necessary, issue travel documents. The Hessian decree indicates that only a few exceptions to this procedure remain, with selection criteria focusing on single, adult males who are definitively obliged to leave the country.

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that future regular deportations of those obliged to leave the country to Afghanistan are possible.

The cooperation between the German federal government and the Taliban has drawn criticism. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) recently dismissed these concerns. The Hessian Refugee Council expressed strong reservations about expanding the scope of deportations. "We reject deportations to Afghanistan in principle," the organization stated. "But to now abandon all the restrictions that have existed so far and thus also release non-criminal Afghans for deportation is irresponsible."

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Hessen will also make use of broader possibilities.

Left-wing politician Clara Bünger echoed these sentiments, stating that deportations to Afghanistan are being "gradually normalized" and that this "violates human rights protection regulations." Conversely, Minister Poseck asserted that individuals obliged to leave the country must do so, emphasizing that the obligation to leave follows a lengthy legal process. A spokesperson for the Bavarian Interior Ministry added, "Those who do not have a right of residence or violate current laws in Germany must leave our country again." The return of criminals and dangerous individuals remains the top priority, but rejected asylum seekers without a right to stay are also subject to return.

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We reject deportations to Afghanistan in principle. But to now abandon all the restrictions that have existed so far and thus also release non-criminal Afghans for deportation is irresponsible.