Germany Plans to Step up Deportations to Afghanistan

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to increase the pace of deportations to Afghanistan, intensifying an already contentious policy.

The Interior Ministry has not clarified whether future operations will be conducted with logistical support from Qatar, which previously facilitated deportation flights.

A ministry spokesperson stated that the federal government is working on establishing a permanent mechanism for deportations and is examining all legal and operational options.

Germany has carried out two deportation operations since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in August 2021. 

In August 2024, under the coalition government led by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, 28 convicted criminals were sent back to Afghanistan. 

In July this year, another flight returned 81 Afghan men, many with serious criminal records involving murder, sexual offences, violent crimes, and drug-related charges. The government confirmed that 38 of those deportees were restrained on the ground at the airport due to aggressive behavior.

Responding to questions from the Left Party in the Bundestag, the government confirmed that Qatar mediated the July operation under the framework of a joint strategic security partnership. 

Still, it stressed that no financial compensation was offered to the Taliban in exchange for accepting the deportees. Officials declined to disclose further details, citing security concerns.

The policy has sparked criticism from opposition figures, with Left Party spokesperson Clara Bünger denouncing the government for spending vast sums on deportation flights, collaborating with authoritarian regimes, and falsely claiming that such measures enhance public safety.

Afghanistan currently represents the largest country of origin among asylum seekers in Germany. However, voluntary returns remain rare.

In the first eight months of this year, only 33 Afghans accepted state-supported repatriation offers, with an additional five cases facilitated through regional programs. No data is available on unsupported voluntary returns.

The announcement signals Berlin’s determination to pursue a stricter deportation strategy despite mounting concerns over cooperation with the Taliban and the humanitarian implications for returnees.