The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Germany deported 32 Afghan nationals convicted of serious crimes to Kabul on Monday, marking the latest step in Berlin’s efforts to resume direct deportation flights to Afghanistan.
Germany’s Interior Ministry said the deportees were all
adult men, including individuals convicted of serious offenses such as rape,
murder, child abuse, drug trafficking, and extortion. The group was flown from
Leipzig/Halle Airport to Kabul on a charter flight organized under federal
supervision.
German authorities said the deportees were transferred from
several federal states and that the operation is part of a broader policy
targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes or considered security
threats.
The flight was carried out under a practical arrangement
with the Taliban, allowing Germany to conduct direct deportations to Kabul
without relying on third-country mediation. Berlin has stressed that such
cooperation does not amount to political recognition of the Taliban but is
limited to migration-related matters.
The deportation comes as several European governments push
for tougher migration policies and faster returns of rejected asylum seekers
and criminal offenders. The European Union has also explored the creation of
regional return and processing hubs in third countries as part of wider efforts
to manage irregular migration and ease pressure on member states.
The move has drawn criticism from human rights groups and
opposition politicians, who argue that European governments are cooperating
with authorities they continue to criticize over human rights violations,
particularly restrictions on women and girls.
The latest deportation takes place against the backdrop of
Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Millions of Afghans continue to
depend on international aid, while widespread poverty, unemployment, and
economic hardship have driven many to seek refuge abroad.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, severe
restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public life have drawn
international condemnation and complicated diplomatic engagement with Kabul.
Despite these concerns, several European countries have increasingly focused on
migration control and the return of individuals deemed security risks.
Germany resumed deportation flights to Afghanistan in 2024
after years of suspension, and officials have indicated that removals of
convicted criminals and security threats will continue as part of the country’s
migration policy.
