Flight Departing Leipzig-Halle Airport - Two Criminals from Berlin Journey to Afghanistan Amidst Unrest
Two Berlin felons, convicted for heinous crimes, embark on a journey to Afghanistan by air. Their travel comes as the first deportation flight to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.
Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) indicated that Berlin administration will continue to uphold deportation demands, legal and operationally feasible, encompassing destinations like Afghanistan and Syria. Border checks should be intensified on a case-by-case basis, while the Dublin III Regulation should be implemented, necessitating the return of numerous asylum seekers from Germany to the EU's border countries.
Spranger also emphasized the importance of terminating residency for foreign offenders and potentially dangerous individuals. Berlin's Justice Senator, Felor Badenberg (CDU), echoed this sentiment, asserting that the powerful enforcement of law is essential for the safety and well-being of the population.
Early morning, a plane lifted off from Leipzig/Halle Airport bound for Afghanistan. It marked the initial deportation flight to Afghanistan since the Taliban's seizure of power in August 2021. The Boeing 787 carried 28 Afghan offenders relayed from various federal states, along with federal police for escort. The operation was primarily directed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
There were concerns about the lack of information provided by the airport regarding the departure of the deportation flight. However, the deportation push persisted, highlighting the government's commitment to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the population.
Additional insights:
Since the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, Germany has resumed deporting convicted felons to the region, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban-led government. This was the first deportation of Afghan nationals since August 2021, following a Qatar Airways flight on August 30, 2023. Intense negotiations between Germany and the Taliban, facilitated by Qatar, were conducted in secret to make this happen.
Detractors, such as Amnesty International Germany, argue that the resumption of deportations puts Germany at risk of becoming complicit in the Taliban's human rights abuses in Afghanistan. They emphasize that adherence to international law, including protecting individuals from extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and torture, is crucial when upholding the rule of law.
Afghans residing in Germany have expressed deep sadness and concern about the future, given the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, with intensified attacks from Taliban militants and the Islamic State extremist group. The deportations have been criticized by many Afghans, who argue that it is inhumane and contradicts the German principles of justice and fairness.
