Afghanistan: What's the process behind the planned expulsions?

Afghanistan: What's the process behind the planned expulsions?

Following the killing of a German police officer at the hands of an Afghan, Chancellor Scholz proposes the deportation of criminals back to Afghanistan. However, he doesn't explain the specifics of how this would work. The Union and the Greens express doubt, albeit for different reasons.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned deporting criminals to Syria and Afghanistan during a speech in the Bundestag. Regarding the stabbing incident in Mannheim where a 29-year-old police officer was murdered, Scholz stated, "I'm enraged when someone commits serious crimes who has sought protection here with us. Such criminals must be deported, even if they come from Syria or Afghanistan."

Union faction leader Friedrich Merz and CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt echoed Scholz's sentiments but also exhibited mistrust in his statements. Merz said, "The time of warnings and condemnations, of hedging and announcements, that time is over." Dobrindt predicted, "With these Greens, you won't get deportations to Afghanistan, because they want it simply not to happen."

Scholz stated that Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is exploring "legally and practically attainable methods" to allow deportations of criminals and threats to Afghanistan. "The Federal Ministry of the Interior is already in discussions with neighboring countries of Afghanistan."

"It's not that straightforward"

Scholz didn't elaborate on the possible routes for these deportations. Merz criticized Scholz for implying there are no contact partners in Afghanistan. "Why can't 'technical contacts' be used to facilitate deportations to Afghanistan?" Merz asked.

The Greens, as Dobrindt predicted, were skeptical in the discussion. Green party leader Omid Nouripour said that after serving certain criminal sentences, one loses the right to stay in Germany, but there's a catch. It's not that easy to deport someone to Afghanistan, Nouripour cautioned. He added that creating illusions is not ethical and Germany currently provides development aid to Afghanistan. However, there's humanitarian aid under international supervision.

Nouripour explained that for deportations to Afghanistan to happen, recognition of the Afghan regime is required - a significant change in course. The majority of countries, including Western ones, do not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghan government. Nouripour warned that recognizing the "Animist fanatics" in Afghanistan would create a massive boost for these extremists.

Greens faction leader Britta Hasselmann echoed that the coalition had already revised some deportation regulations. "I expect the states to implement these changes," said Hasselmann. She's not completely against deportations to Afghanistan, but she's uncertain about the practicalities. "The Federal Ministry of the Interior and also the state interior ministries will have to demonstrate how this can be accomplished." The question is how one can discuss the matter with the "terrorist regime" in Afghanistan. And "which third country would be inclined to accept terrorists or serious criminals?" Hasselmann is waiting for answers but doesn't expect any.

Simultaneously, it was evident in the debate that the Greens are isolated in their skepticism. FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Duerr insisted, "The deportation of Islamist criminals to Afghanistan and Syria must be possible." It seems individuals who commit Islamist crimes don't need protection from Islamist regimes in these countries, he added, referring to the Taliban.

The federal government will also introduce stricter measures regardless of new deportation rules. Scholz said that glorifying terrorist crimes should no longer be tolerated. The government aims to toughen deportation regulations, causing approval of terrorist crimes to lead to a high deportation priority. "Those who glorify terrorism are turning against all our values and also need to be deported."

Read also:

1. Green party leader Omid Nouripour expressed concern about the deportation of criminals to Afghanistan, stating that it's not that easy due to the necessary recognition of the Afghan regime.
2. In response to Merz's question about using technical contacts for facilitating deportations to Afghanistan, Chancellor Scholz did not provide a clear answer, leaving the issue unaddressed.
3. During the debate, FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Duerr advocated for the deportation of Islamist criminals to Afghanistan and Syria, despite the skepticism expressed by some parties.
4. Following the suggestion by Chancellor Scholz, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is investigating viable methods for permitting the deportation of criminals and threats to Afghanistan, involving discussions with neighboring countries.

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