A network supporting former local staff who worked with the German Armed Forces, Foreign Office and Development Ministry has voiced serious concerns regarding the recent deportation of Afghan nationals. The organization is calling on Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to immediately engage with the Pakistani government to halt deportations and facilitate the safe return of all previously approved Afghan former employees to Pakistan.
The initiative asserts that the deportations of dozens of Afghans with existing German acceptance commitments stem from what it characterizes as profoundly irresponsible policy decisions by the current federal government. It notes that the Pakistani government had repeatedly threatened to deport Afghans with German acceptance commitments if they were not promptly flown to Germany. Despite these warnings, the German government withdrew personnel responsible for processing German visas from Pakistan in late May, effectively halting the issuance of new visas.
Consequently, many locally employed staff with German acceptance commitments have been awaiting relocation for eight months or longer. The network contends that deportation to Afghanistan poses a severe threat to their safety, potentially resulting in fatal consequences. It alleges that the government’s actions may constitute criminal offenses, specifically abandonment in a helpless situation and failure to provide assistance.
