The German government faces mounting internal pressure to reverse a planned rejection of Afghan asylum seekers, a decision critics are branding as a betrayal of commitments made to those who aided German efforts in the country. Britta Haßelmann, parliamentary group leader for the Green Party, has publicly urged Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU to immediately retract the proposed refusal, arguing it represents a fundamental breach of humanitarian duty and international obligation.
The controversy stems from the government’s intention to deny entry to approximately 640 individuals already registered within official German resettlement programs. While around 90 former local staff of German institutions and roughly 580 individuals admitted through a specialized program for those facing extreme danger under the Taliban regime are still eligible for resettlement, the wider planned rejection has triggered a fierce debate.
Haßelmann denounced the government’s approach as “cynical and cold” particularly given the vulnerability of families, women and children involved. She emphasized the inherent weight of Germany’s pledges, stating that failing to uphold these commitments risks undermining the credibility of future German assurances on the global stage. The Green Party politician further challenged Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and the Social Democrats to publicly condemn the policy, arguing silence constitutes complicity in a harmful decision.
The move has fueled concerns about the safety and well-being of those affected, suggesting the government is prioritizing bureaucratic expediency over moral responsibility. Critics contend that the policy shift, occurring after years of promises and established protocols, creates a dangerous precedent, potentially exposing individuals to persecution and violence in Afghanistan. The unfolding situation highlights a growing dissonance between Germany’s stated values of humanitarianism and the increasingly restrictive policies being implemented by its government.
