Germany Resumes Deportation of Afghan Offenders
A deportation flight to Afghanistan has left Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, marking the first deportation of Afghan nationals since the Taliban regained power in Kabul in August 2021. The flight, organized by Germany’s federal Interior Ministry, saw 28 Afghan offenders being sent back to their home country. These individuals were convicted offenders without the right to stay in Germany.
Months of Negotiations and Political Context
Prior to the deportation, Germany engaged in two months of negotiations with Qatar as a mediator since it lacks direct diplomatic relations with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The move comes amidst a political debate over asylum and deportation rules in Germany, particularly ahead of upcoming state elections in Thuringia and Saxony. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the resumption of deportations of dangerous criminals and terror suspects to Afghanistan and Syria after a deadly knife attack in Mannheim, leading to a heated discussion in the country.
The deportation flight is seen as a significant development in Germany’s migration policy, especially considering the recent rise in anti-immigrant sentiments in some regions of the country. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
Source: dw.com