German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was summoned to a parliamentary inquiry committee on Thursday to address questions about the military evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.
The committee is investigating the withdrawal of German forces and the country’s response to the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.
As a witness, Chancellor Scholz is expected to answer questions posed by parliamentarians during the session.
According to Germany’s Deutschlandfunk news agency, the inquiry aims to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the Kabul evacuation operation in August 2021.
The operation remains under examination due to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan and the Taliban’s rise to power.
At the time of the evacuation, Scholz served as the Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister in Angela Merkel’s cabinet.
In addition to Scholz, former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has also been invited to the parliamentary session.
German media reports indicate that in December, former Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Foreign Minister Heiko Maas are also scheduled to testify as witnesses before the inquiry committee.
Reports suggest that due to Germany’s upcoming early parliamentary elections, the preparation of the final report might be expedited to meet time constraints.
Amid rising tensions, European countries, including Germany, have intensified the deportation of Afghan refugees, especially those with criminal records.
This reflects a broader shift in Europe’s immigration policies, where security concerns and public sentiment are driving stricter measures against asylum seekers.
The increased deportations are exacerbating the plight of Afghan refugees, many of whom face dire conditions upon return. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the safety of deported individuals, particularly those at risk of persecution in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
This trend underscores the challenges facing both host nations and refugees in navigating the complexities of global displacement.
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