Increased Involvement of Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul Urged by Local Authorities for Afghanistan Deportations
In a concerning turn of events, the sponsorship network Ortskräfte is advocating for long-serving Afghan employees of the German Armed Forces, the Federal Foreign Office, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The network believes that the federal government's actions are criminal offenses: abandonment in a helpless situation and failure to provide assistance.
The initiative's stance is that the federal government's actions could lead to the deaths of Ortskräfte at the hands of the Taliban. Many Ortskräfte with German acceptance promises have been waiting for eight months or longer, as stated by the network. No German visas have been issued since the withdrawal of bureaucratic personnel from Pakistan at the end of May.
The deportation of Ortskräfte is a potential violation of criminal offenses, according to the initiative. The network claims that deportation into the hands of the Taliban would mean certain death for many of them. They accuse the federal government of abandonment in a helpless situation and failure to provide assistance.
The Pakistani government had threatened to deport Afghans with German acceptance promises to Afghanistan if they were not flown to Germany, but the federal government withdrew bureaucratic personnel needed to issue German visas from Pakistan at the end of May and no longer issued any visas. This decision has led to the deportation of dozens of Afghans with German acceptance promises from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has intervened at a high level to halt the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan who are under Germany’s protection, engaging directly with Pakistani officials to protect vulnerable Afghans waiting for resettlement and those already deported. This intervention is part of a broader diplomatic effort amid Pakistan's announced deportation campaign culminating in a September 1 deadline for Afghan refugees to leave, including those approved for Germany's admission program.
However, the black-red coalition has faced criticism over its policy on Afghan resettlement. Originally, Germany pledged to relocate Afghans who supported German efforts, but following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s term start, the admissions program was effectively paused or delayed, causing thousands to remain stranded in Pakistan during Pakistan’s deportation drives.
Legal complaints have been filed against Foreign Minister Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt by refugee rights groups for “failing to prevent” the deportations despite prior assurances. The groups accuse the ministers of “abandonment” and “failure to render assistance” under German law due to delayed visa issuance, which left vulnerable Afghans exposed to forcible return to Afghanistan, where they face severe human rights abuses, including threats, arbitrary detention, and risk of execution under the Taliban regime.
The so-called “Ortskräfte” allegations revolve around the accusation that German authorities neglected their responsibility to protect Afghans who had worked for or alongside Germany, despite promises of admission and resettlement. This group includes former development agency employees, women's rights activists, and LGBTQ+ individuals particularly at risk in Afghanistan.
In conclusion, the initiative's concerns revolve around the potential consequences of deportation for Ortskräfte. The network's accusations against the black-red coalition are related to the potential violation of criminal offenses. The initiative's call for action is directed towards the federal government to address the issue of deportations and ensure the safe return of all deported former Afghan Ortskräfte to Pakistan.
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