Germany has deported 28 Afghan nationals to their homeland for the first time since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, sparking debate over immigration policy and security concerns, Fox News reports.
The deportations included convicted criminals whose offenses reportedly included rape, serious arson and manslaughter. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit emphasized that “the security interests of Germany clearly outweigh the claim for protection of criminals and individuals endangering national security.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the move a “clear sign” that those who commit crimes in Germany will be deported. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the move as a security issue for the country, adding that Berlin, which does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban, had to work through other channels to facilitate the deportations.
The deportations come a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen, where a Syrian asylum seeker was suspected of killing a woman and injuring several others. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, although the claim could not be independently verified.
The attack, coupled with the Taliban’s recent implementation of strict morality laws in Afghanistan, including a requirement for women to conceal their faces and voices outside the home, has fueled a heated debate over immigration and security in Germany.
While the deportations were reportedly planned for months, the timing coincided with upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where anti-immigration parties like the Alternative for Germany are expected to perform well.
In June, Chancellor Scholz had vowed to resume deportations of criminals from Afghanistan and Syria after the Solingen attack. Interior Minister Faeser has also announced plans to tighten knife laws and make deportations easier.
