Forced Returns to Kabul: Germany’s Struggle with Human Rights Amid Afghan Deportations

The German government’s recent decision to resume deportations of Afghans with criminal convictions has drawn widespread criticism.

The coalition government, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and Social Democratic Party (SPD), has announced that it will restart the process of deporting Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected and who have criminal records. In the latest move, a flight carrying 81 Afghan men was sent from Leipzig to Kabul

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the decision, stating that it fulfills the coalition’s earlier promise to begin deportations from Afghanistan and Syria.

This policy is part of the “Return Operation” program, aimed at pressuring countries of origin to take back their citizens. However, the implementation of this policy in Afghanistan is complex, as Germany has not officially recognized the Taliban government and only refers to “technical contacts” with them.

To facilitate the deportations, Germany has reached an agreement with Qatar, allowing two Taliban representatives to be stationed at the Afghan embassy in Berlin to oversee the return of Afghan nationals.

The deportation of migrants to Afghanistan has long been controversial, and despite changes in German governments, the practice has continued. Critics argue that the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially for women and minorities, remains dire, and any forced returns could violate international law.

Nicole Deitelhoff, a peace and conflict researcher at the University of Frankfurt, has sharply criticized the policy, stating that it undermines human rights principles and that there is no guarantee that returnees will not face torture or mistreatment. She also noted that this decision damages Germany’s international credibility, especially after Berlin halted its special program for accepting Afghan local staff.

Despite the backlash, the German government insists on continuing the deportations. A government spokesperson has stated that this process will not end with one flight and that more deportations are planned. Meanwhile, Germany is careful to avoid any perception of political recognition of the Taliban, using terms like “current Afghan government” or “de facto administration” in official communications.

Internationally, the Taliban’s return to the diplomatic stage is gaining momentum. Russia officially recognized the Taliban in early July, and analysts suggest this could trigger a wave of political recognitions by other countries, including Pakistan and Qatar. If this trend continues, Western countries, including Germany, will face increased political pressure to engage formally with the Taliban.

Ultimately, Germany’s deportation policy comes as approximately 377,000 Afghans live in the country, with a significant portion still allowed to stay despite rejected asylum applications. According to official statistics, around 11,500 Afghans are registered to leave the country, though it is unclear how many have criminal records. This issue has become one of the most contentious topics in Germany’s immigration and human rights policies, both domestically and internationally.