Despite escalating violence and widespread human rights abuses perpetrated by the Iranian regime, the state of Baden-Württemberg continues to actively pursue deportations to Iran, drawing criticism and raising serious ethical questions. According to statements released to the “Frankfurter Rundschau”, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister for Integration, Marion Gentges (CDU), confirmed ongoing efforts to deport individuals, “including some with serious criminal records” back to Iran. Gentges asserted that there is currently “no reason” to suspend these proceedings.
The justification offered by the Baden-Württemberg government, echoed by the SPD-led government of Lower Saxony, centers on the alleged lack of cooperation from Tehran in accepting deportees. Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister, Daniela Behrens (SPD), stated that no deportations have occurred since the beginning of 2024 due to this perceived obstruction. Similar to Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony is refraining from imposing a formal deportation moratorium, citing the difficulty of evaluating the situation on the ground in Iran.
While both states maintain that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) assesses each individual case to determine if “state-related deportation prohibitions” are applicable in light of the Iranian situation, critics argue that continuing deportations, even with purported safeguards, fundamentally ignores the systematic oppression and potential persecution faced by returnees.
The reliance on the Foreign Office to provide an ‘ad hoc’ report – a process deemed by some legal experts to be insufficient and slow – highlights a broader hesitancy to directly confront the political complexities of repatriation. Concerns further arise from the potential silencing of opposition voices within Germany, as individuals fearing reprisal from the Iranian regime may be discouraged from speaking out against these policies.
The continued deportations, even amidst escalating human rights concerns, underscore a tension between German domestic policy and its international obligations and prompt a crucial debate about the ethical limits of deportation practices in the face of authoritarian regimes. Political analysts suggest the issue may face renewed scrutiny as pressure mounts on the German government to adopt a more robust stance on Iran’s human rights record.
