Germany has resumed evacuation flights for vulnerable individuals from Afghanistan as the country continues to respond to its commitments following the Taliban takeover. On Tuesday, 155 Afghans arrived at Berlin Brandenburg Airport aboard a charter flight from Islamabad, marking the resumption of operations after they were halted prior to the recent Bundestag elections.
This latest flight saw over half of the passengers admitted through the German government’s special reception program for at-risk individuals, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The arrival of these evacuees is part of Germany’s response to the fallout from the 2021 takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, which prompted the country to promise asylum to more than 48,000 Afghans.
The criticism surrounding the resumption of flights has not been subdued. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser faces backlash from Union leaders, who argue it is irresponsible to allow new arrivals rather than prioritizing deportations of Afghan nationals already residing in Germany who have committed crimes. Thorsten Frei, the parliamentary manager for the CDU, stated in an interview with Bild, "Instead of deporting Afghans, the government continues to bring more Afghans to the country."
After the elections, the German government once again began chartering flights, which had been suspended ostensibly due to logistical problems, just two days before voters went to the polls. Many, including politicians from the Union, suspect this suspension may have had more to do with political strategy than actual logistical difficulties, with suspicions heightened around the timing of the cancellations.
Critics like Saxony's Interior Minister, Armin Schuster, have verbally denounced the government’s handling of the situation, saying, "We countries have repeatedly demanded the immediate halt of the admission programs." He expressed frustration over the apparent dichotomy between the urgency to accommodate new Afghan arrivals and the handling of those already within Germany.
Despite the challenges, supporters of the resumption applaud it as the right move. SPD Vice Parliament Leader Dirk Wiese, defending the decision during a discussion on Welt TV, emphasized, "The government has a responsibility for those who worked for our troops in Afghanistan." Directly addressing the criticisms, he pointed out the ethical obligation to assist those who risked their lives to support German forces.
Since the Taliban regained power, Germany has facilitated the evacuation of approximately 36,000 Afghans, who are classified as particularly at risk due to their previous associations with German military forces. The effort to relocate these individuals has cost several hundred million euros, far exceeding the initial estimates and reflecting the magnitude of the undertaking.
Behind the scenes, there are growing concerns over the fates of approximately 3,000 additional Afghans who remain stranded in Islamabad, awaiting departure. Their situation is dire; many have sold their homes and possessions to escape Afghanistan, but they now face restricted visas and mounting tensions as their status remains uncertain. Pakistan has been issuing temporary visas, but these must be renewed before they expire, and the government has indicated it will intensify efforts to deport undocumented Afghan nationals.
The strains of life for these waiting families are exacerbated by desperation and hopelessness, with some reports indicating a worrying increase in suicide attempts among these individuals. These sentiments were echoed by former Green Party leader, Omid Nouripour, who criticized the proportionate delay and uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who had helped German forces under difficult circumstances. Nouripour remarked, "It is not decent, and it also harms Germany’s reputation in the world."
Looking forward, pressure mounts on the German government to handle the visa extension process efficiently and address the complications arising from the influx of new Afghans alongside those still waiting for their chance to contribute to Germany. The need for decisive action seems pressing, not only for the safety of these individuals but also for preserving the integrity of the country’s commitments to those who chose to trust Germany’s promises during tumultuous times.
With the next flight scheduled for early March, many eyes will be watching how the government navigates these complicated waters as they balance domestic political pressures against humanitarian responsibilities.