Germany’s Foreign Office is facing potential fines after a series of court rulings mandated the issuance of visas to Afghan nationals who have already received pledges of admission to Germany. According to a report in “Welt”, the Berlin Administrative Court has issued at least 20 urgent decisions compelling the government to grant visas to individuals approved under the federal admission program for Afghan nationals.
The court reasoned that the Federal Republic is legally bound by its existing, irrevocable commitments to admit these individuals. One plaintiff in the legal action is a law lecturer currently awaiting visa approval for 13 family members residing in Pakistan.
Initially, the Foreign Office appealed some of the rulings to the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court. However, the Higher Administrative Court has, in at least one instance, rejected a request to suspend the implementation of the court’s decision. The Berlin Administrative Court subsequently demanded that the Foreign Office detail, by a specific deadline, the steps taken – or to be taken – to process the visas. Failure to do so, the court warned, will result in the imposition of a coercive fine.
The Foreign Office did not respond to “Welt’s” inquiry regarding the matter within the given timeframe. A court spokesperson confirmed the proceedings, stating the court awaits a response from the Foreign Office before issuing a final ruling.
Currently, over 2,000 Afghan nationals remain in Pakistan, seeking entry into Germany through the federal admission program and other related initiatives. Pakistani authorities have recently increased efforts to deport these individuals, many of whom have seen their Pakistani visas expire.
