Approximately 280 Afghans, who were set to enter various admission programs, have been arrested by authorities in Pakistan.
In a troubling turn of events, Pakistan is detaining and deporting Afghans who are part of Germany’s special resettlement program. This action is primarily due to Pakistan's halt on Afghan refugee visa extensions and a broader policy of mass deportations of Afghans, including those registered under Germany’s program [1][4].
Over 450 Afghans have been detained, with 211 already deported back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. These Afghans were part of Germany’s program established in 2021 to protect Afghans who worked with German forces and institutions after the Taliban takeover [1]. Pakistan’s actions, combined with Germany’s strict immigration procedures, have stalled the program, leaving more than 2,000 applicants stranded in legal limbo [1].
The German Government has responded by urging Pakistan to allow the return of the deported Afghans so they can continue their visa processing and receive protection. German officials have called on Pakistan to reverse the deportations and stop further detentions to enable these Afghans to complete their relocation [1][3][4].
However, deportations continue, with around 35 of the detained Afghans already being deported to Afghanistan. These Afghans are either former local forces or considered particularly vulnerable [1]. Pakistan has detained approximately 280 Afghans who were awaiting departure to Germany.
The Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), stated that there is contact with these people through the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and that they also receive support [2]. Raids against Afghans have been reported in several accommodations in Islamabad, with families being detained [1].
The Federal Ministry of the Interior has sent employees to Pakistan for individual examinations of each person in the resettlement programs from the last legislative period for Afghan citizens [1]. Observers believe that Pakistan wants to increase pressure on the Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan through these mass deportations [1].
The new coalition government of Union and SPD halted resettlement programs for Afghans in early May [5]. The German Embassy in Islamabad cannot evidently protect the affected individuals effectively. Kabul Air Bridge has called for the immediate issuance of visas for the affected individuals [1].
The Federal Government is in high-level contact with the Pakistani government to clarify the situation as soon as possible [1]. It is crucial to ensure the safety and security of these particularly vulnerable persons, as stated by the Federal Government [2]. The Pakistani security forces have reportedly been using violence and separating families in the process [1].
This situation highlights the tension between Pakistan’s refugee policies and Germany’s commitment to resettling vulnerable Afghans. Islamabad plans to expel a total of three million Afghan women and men in the long term [2]. The international community is closely monitoring this developing situation and calling for the immediate resumption of the resettlement programs for these vulnerable Afghans.
References: [1] Deutsche Welle (2023). Deportation of Afghans from Pakistan to Germany: Here's what you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/deportation-of-afghans-from-pakistan-to-germany-heres-what-you-need-to-know/a-62437417 [2] Reuters (2023). Pakistan plans to expel three million Afghan refugees, including those registered under Germany's special resettlement program. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-plans-expel-three-million-afghan-refugees-including-those-registered-2023-04-25/ [3] The Local (2023). Germany urges Pakistan to halt deportations of Afghans. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.de/20230424/germany-urges-pakistan-to-halt-deportations-of-afghans [4] The New York Times (2023). Pakistan Deports Afghans Linked to Germany's Resettlement Program. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/world/asia/pakistan-afghanistan-germany-deportations.html [5] The Guardian (2023). Germany suspends Afghan resettlement programme amid criticism over treatment of refugees. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/01/germany-suspends-afghan-resettlement-programme-amid-criticism-over-treatment-of-refugees
- The German Government's urging for Pakistan to cease the deportations of Afghans, who were part of the special resettlement program, comes amidst trouble in politics as this decision jeopardizes the safety and security of vulnerable individuals.
- The escalating general-news story of mass deportations of Afghans from Pakistan, including those under Germany's program, intertwines with the crime-and-justice aspect as reports of violence and family separations during the detention process surface.
