Stuck in Limbo: the Stranded Afghans and Germany's Broken Promise
Example set to misguide: Diverging from the correct path
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Over 2,400 Afghans, predominantly women and men from vulnerable groups, are in a precarious position in Pakistan, awaiting admission to Germany despite assurances from the federal government. These individuals were chosen through the federal admission program, a scheme initiated by the previous administration to rescue endangered individuals before the Taliban takeover. However, the new government has put a halt to all admission programs, leaving these Afghans at risk of deportation back to their war-torn homeland.
Tilmann Röder, a lawyer and the director of the NGO Just Peace, has played a key role in the federal admission program. He is now part of a legal team representing some of these stranded Afghan individuals in court. In an exclusive interview with ntv.de, Röder discusses why he believes the federal government's actions are politically motivated and unjust.
ntv.de: Can you explain the nature of these lawsuits?
Tilmann Röder: Essentially, the lawsuits seek visas for individuals who should no longer face barriers to entering Germany. They have all gone through the federal admission program's procedures. One of the first plaintiffs, whose case was filed four weeks ago by lawyer Matthias Lehnert, is a scientist and writer from Afghanistan. She actively supported democracy and human rights and is particularly targeted by the Taliban. The court will likely rule in favor of issuing a visa for her and others in similar situations, as the federal government cannot renege on its promises.
Politics and Migration: The Semantics of a Stalemate
The federal admission program was a response by the previous traffic light government to the Taliban's rise to power in 2021. Its purpose was to facilitate legal migration for particularly endangered individuals without risking dangerous flights or central control. Röder served as the head of case management in the program's coordinating office, where various organizations and institutions could suggest and vet potential admission candidates.
Who Were These Individuals?
The target group for the federal admission program included individuals involved in strengthening democracy, rule of law, freedom rights, and human rights in Afghanistan, as well as particularly vulnerable individuals, such as women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Approximately half of the 2,400 stranded Afghan individuals originated from the federal admission program, while the rest came from local forces procedures, the human rights list, or the transition program. Those from the federal admission program enjoy greater legal protection against the revocation of their admission promises.
The Political Maneuver and its Implications
Germany's federal government has indicated its intention to revisit each case individually for security reasons. While this is theoretically possible, it appears more like an attempt to find reasons to rescind the admission offers for these individuals.
Röder believes this is a clear attempt to set an example in migration policy, but fails to understand why this group is being targeted. "These people embody the very ideals we claim to uphold: rule of law, democracy, freedom, and human rights. They are the people we should stand by, not abandon. Moreover, we have made a legal commitment to protect them. Backtracking on our promise would be problematic, particularly since these people have already spent significant resources to leave Afghanistan. Some have sold their homes. If the federal government betrays this group, it would tarnish our international reputation," Röder contends.
The stranded Afghans face a tense situation, as their Pakistani residence permits will not be renewed, leaving them at risk of deportation. The pressure is immense, and these individuals are reluctant to leave their accommodations due to fear of being deported. Despite having access to food and shelter, they are unable to work or educate their children, leading to an inhumane existence.
Upcoming Court Cases: A Battleground for Justice?
The 25 lawsuits being prepared concern the main individuals involved, with family members also affected. Röder estimates that around 80 to 100 people will be directly involved in these cases. Although more lawsuits are expected to follow, it's clear that the German government must uphold its commitment to these vulnerable individuals and provide them with the safety and protection they deserve.
Interview with Tilmann Röder by Marc Dimpfel
Source: ntv.de
Key words: Afghanistan, migration, Pakistan, federal government, Taliban
- Tilmann Röder's legal team is seeking visas for stranded Afghans, arguing that the federal government cannot renege on its promises made through the federal admission program, considering the individuals' vulnerability and their support for democracy and human rights.
- In the ongoing court cases, Röder believes that the German government's actions to potentially rescind admission offers for these vulnerable Afghans are politically motivated and problematic, potentially tarnishing the country's international reputation, as these people embody the very ideals the government claims to uphold.
