First deportation freight to Afghanistan - Dobrindt under pressure!

First deportation freight to Afghanistan - Dobrindt under pressure!

Leipzig, Deutschland - on July 18, 2025 at 8:58 a.m., from Leipzig from the first deportation freight to Afghanistan since August 2024. There were 81 people on board the machine, who are considered to be fully available. Those affected had appeared criminal in Germany and now had to return to their home country, which is currently under the influence of the Taliban. Originally the flight was scheduled for 7:15 a.m., but delayed. Tagesschau reports .

This is the second deportation of Afghan citizens since the Taliban took over in August 2021. The flight ended up in Leipzig in the early afternoon, while the origin and the exact legal status of the deported are still unclear. Critics, including the German Institute for Human Rights and Pro Asylum, see this deportation a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the German Basic Law. The Republican Lawyers 'and Lawyers' Association also speaks out with concerns. It also remains open whether there was direct negotiations with the Taliban for this flight or whether a mediator was involved ZDF reports .

political context and planned tightening

The deportation frugal took place at the same time as a migration summit, to which Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt had invited his European colleagues. Dobrindt, who demands a tightening of migration policy in Europe, has already indicated that he intends to negotiate with the Taliban about returns. This could be a new approach in German asylum policy, since Germany is currently not maintaining diplomatic relations with the regime and instead communicates via a liaison office in Qatar Tagesschau and ZDF

In the past few months, the discussion about deportations to Afghanistan has flared up, especially when it comes to criminals. According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, around 11,500 Afghan citizens are currently liable to leave. Sebastian Fiedler, domestic spokesman for the SPD, supports the planned measures, but emphasizes that direct relationships with the Taliban should be avoided. These argumentative differences show how delicate the topic is, especially with regard to the precarious security situation in Afghanistan and the humanitarian aspects.

international criticism and human rights situation

The United Nations also express themselves critically on the German deportation plans. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk said that it was inappropriate to send people back to a country in which the human rights situation is so catastrophic. The situation for women and girls has dramatically deteriorated to power since the return of the Taliban. In the current debate about returns, the humanitarian perspectives and risks are repeatedly pointed out, which brings with it deportation to Afghanistan ZEIT .