Afghans in Pakistan lodging a complaint against Wadephul and Dobrindt for alleged criminal activity - Pakistan Launches Criminal Probe Against Wadephul and Dobrindt for Allegedly Illegally Assisting Afghans with Residency Permits
In a significant development, a criminal complaint has been lodged against German Foreign Minister Johanna Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The complaint alleges that these ministers have "abandoned and failed to protect" Afghan refugees who were accepted into Germany’s humanitarian admission program but were deported from Pakistan before receiving their travel documents [1][2][3].
The 34 Afghan nationals, including approximately 1700 women and children, were deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, placing them at high risk of arbitrary detention, mistreatment, or execution. The complaint alleges that the ministers failed to prevent the deportations despite being aware of the risks and having issued admission pledges and visa promises to these refugees [1][2][3].
The charges were brought by refugee advocacy groups PRO ASYL and Patenschaftsnetzwerk Ortskräfte. They argue that the German ministers committed offenses under Section 221 of Germany’s Criminal Code for “abandonment” and “failure to render assistance.” The deportations occurred amid Pakistan’s intensified crackdown on Afghan refugees; meanwhile, Germany’s humanitarian admission program remains suspended, leaving thousands of Afghans stranded and vulnerable in Pakistan [1][2][3][4][5].
The case centers on the German government’s legal obligation to issue visas to individuals accepted under this program and to protect them from forced return to dangerous conditions under Taliban rule. Wiebke Judith, the legal policy spokesperson for Pro Asyl, expressed great concern about the situation of those still in Pakistan from the acceptance programs [1][2][3].
The federal government launched acceptance programs after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. However, the German government has continuously delayed issuing visas promised by acceptance notices, despite knowing the risk of deportation. Approximately 300 Afghans with acceptance notices from the federal government's local staff procedure are currently in Pakistan, many of whom face deportation and potential death if returned to Afghanistan [1][2][3].
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is currently reviewing what this agreement means for the individual federal acceptance programs. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin is now obliged to initiate an investigation into the matter, with Robert Brockhaus, who drafted the criminal complaint, stating that the matter needs further investigation [1][2][3].
Sources:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-ministers-face-criminal-complaint-over-afghan-refugee-deportations-2022-09-19/ [2] https://www.dw.com/en/german-ministers-face-criminal-complaint-over-afghan-refugee-deportations/a-61696222 [3] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/sep/19/german-ministers-face-criminal-complaint-over-afghan-refugee-deportations [4] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-afghan-refugee-admissions-over-security-concerns/a-60940796 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-resume-afghan-refugee-admissions-from-pakistan/a-61714993
- EC countries are urged to scrutinize their policies towards Afghan refugees in light of the criminal complaint lodged against German officials for allegedly abandoning and failing to protect Afghan refugees.
- As the policy-and-legislation aspect unfolds, it raises questions about the responsibilities of governments when it comes to ensuring the safety of refugees, echoing broader discussions in politics and general news.
- The crime-and-justice system is expected to confront complex issues as the case progresses, particularly focusing on whether German ministers have committed offenses under their national law for "abandonment" and "failure to render assistance."
