The German government has resumed the evacuation of Afghan refugees, with 155 individuals landing at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport on February 25, 2025. This charter flight, originating from Islamabad, marks the continuation of efforts to protect particularly vulnerable Afghans following the abrupt cessation of flights prior to the Bundestag elections.
More than half of the evacuees were brought to Germany through the federal resettlement program dedicated to particularly endangered persons. Others were part of various other programs, including the local forces procedure, the human rights list, and bridging programs.
This latest evacuation underlines Germany's commitment to assisting those who have worked closely with German armed forces in Afghanistan. Dirk Wiese, the vice chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), remarked, "They worked for our troops in Afghanistan. We have a responsibility to those who worked for the Bundeswehr on site, leaving these local forces behind is the wrong way." His defense emphasizes the moral obligation Germany feels toward those at risk due to their connections with its military presence.
Despite these humanitarian efforts, the evacuation has drawn scrutiny from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). CDU parliamentary secretary Thorsten Frei criticized the government's approach, asserting, "Germany should rather be sending Afghans back to their home country instead of bringing them here." Citing the cancellation of two charter flights prior to the elections as politically motivated, Armin Schuster, the Minister of the Interior for Saxony, described the situation as one of “remarkable audacity.”
Schuster contended, "We Länder have repeatedly called for the immediate cessation of resettlement programs," hinting at underlying political tensions and disagreements over immigration policies as the nation navigates its role following significant military engagements abroad.
Since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, Germany has seen over 35,000 individuals enter the country through various evacuation efforts. The resettlement program for particularly endangered Afghan women and men has been costly, with expenditures nearing 25 million euros. The situation remains dire for many Afghans still waiting for their chance to transit to Germany or other Western nations, with the Federal Foreign Office expressing concerns over their living conditions in Pakistan.
Many refugees remain under significant pressure, with reports indicating heightened fears and trauma as they await their fates. Police officials have reaffirmed plans for Afghans without proper visas to leave Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi by the end of March, leading to potential legal jeopardy should they fail to secure the necessary documentation.
The situation also reignites debates within Germany about the contentious issue of deportations back to Afghanistan, particularly stirred by recent events such as the Munich attack, pushing some factions within the Union and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) to advocate for negotiations with the Taliban to facilitate deportations.
While the SPD and other supportive parties stress the humanitarian commitments to Afghan evacuees, opposing factions pressure for stricter controls and reassurances about Germany's border policies moving forward.
The question of how to balance national security, humanitarian responsibilities, and the political ramifications of immigration policy remains at the forefront of public discourse as Germany confronts the lasting impact of its actions taken during the two-decade-long engagement within Afghanistan.
The resumption of flights for Afghan refugees is not simply about logistics but reflects broader societal values and the responsibility nations hold toward individuals who risked their lives to support foreign forces. Moving forward, the government will need to navigate this complex terrain carefully, weighing both ethical obligations and domestic political pressures.