EU States Urge Increased Afghan Deportations Amid Taliban Talks
Brussels – Twenty European Union member states are appealing to the European Commission to accelerate deportations to Afghanistan, despite the ongoing humanitarian and political crisis in the country and the lack of formal diplomatic relations with the ruling Taliban. The push comes as Germany reports “well advanced” discussions with the taliban regarding the return of Afghan nationals, according to German Transport Minister Volker Dobrindt.
The coordinated call for increased deportations reflects growing pressure on EU governments to address migration flows and underscores a hardening stance toward asylum seekers. While the EU officially maintains that conditions in afghanistan are not conducive to safe returns, the twenty states argue that a pragmatic approach is necessary, citing the need to deter irregular migration and manage border security. The move impacts thousands of Afghan refugees currently seeking asylum within the EU, and raises concerns among human rights organizations about potential risks to those returned.
Germany has already carried out two deportations to afghanistan with the assistance of Qatar since the Taliban regained power in august 2021. Dobrindt’s statement indicates a willingness to continue these operations, despite the controversial nature of engaging with the Taliban regime. The German government’s direct contact with the Taliban, bypassing official EU policy, has drawn criticism from within the governing coalition and from opposition parties.
The European Commission is now tasked with evaluating the request from the twenty member states and determining a course of action. Any decision to increase deportations will likely face legal challenges and further fuel the debate over the EU’s migration policies.
Deportations of Afghans from Germany.
