Hundreds of Afghans housed in German refugee camps are arrested by Pakistani authorities.
In a shocking turn of events, criminal complaints have been lodged against German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) by human rights organisations Pro Asyl and the Sponsorship Network for Local Forces. The allegations centre around the ministers' failure to prevent the arrest and deportation of Afghan nationals with resettlement promises from Germany.
The deported refugees, who were accepted for relocation due to their vulnerability under Taliban rule, were sent back to Afghanistan before receiving their visas and travel documents. This action exposes them to grave risks such as arbitrary detention, mistreatment, or execution upon return to their home country.
The deportations took place amidst Pakistan's intensified crackdown on Afghan refugees and the suspension of Germany's resettlement program. The program, initiated after the Taliban takeover in 2021, was later halted by the new conservative German government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The United Nations and human rights organisations have condemned the deportations, highlighting the serious human rights violations faced by returning Afghans under Taliban rule. Specifically, there are concerns for the safety of women, journalists, former officials, and civil society members. The UNHCR has called on Pakistan to halt forced returns of registered Afghan refugees, emphasising the principle of non-refoulement under international law.
Reports suggest that over 2000 people are currently waiting for deportation from Pakistan to Germany. A guesthouse owner reported that 42 people were arrested at his facility on Friday alone, while Pakistani authorities are conducting raids on such establishments housing Afghans awaiting deportation to Germany.
The German government is aware of the deportations and is currently in high-level contact with the Pakistani government to address the situation of the arrested and deported Afghans. However, the Interior Minister has stated there is no plan to accelerate resettlement, citing the need to complete security checks, a process criticised by civil society activists as a deliberate delay.
As of now, over 100 people have been arrested and taken to an immigration detention center in Islamabad, with reports suggesting that 280 arrests have been made. Those arrested now face deportation to Afghanistan. The competent prosecutorial authority has not yet confirmed the receipt of the criminal complaint.
This news was reported on August 14, 2025. The situation remains a source of concern for human rights organisations and the international community, with calls for the immediate protection and resettlement of these vulnerable Afghan refugees.
The general-news continues to report on the controversial politics surrounding the crime-and-justice issue, as the criminal complaints against Alexander Dobrindt and Johann Wadephul escalate, given their roles in the Afghan refugee deportations. The human rights organisations Pro Asyl and the Sponsorship Network for Local Forces allege the ministers' failure to prevent the deportation of vulnerable Afghan refugees contravenes international law.
