Brussels: Twenty European countries have collectively urged the European Commission to expand efforts in repatriating Afghans lacking residence permits back to Afghanistan. The Dutch government spearheaded this initiative by publishing a letter addressed to EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
According to Ghana News Agency, the letter highlights that in the previous year, 22,870 Afghans in the EU were issued repatriation decisions, yet only 435 successfully returned to Afghanistan, now under Taliban control. The signatory nations emphasized the necessity for the EU to treat the matter of voluntary and forced returns as a 'joint responsibility.' They are advocating for an examination of further deportation options, particularly targeting individuals deemed threats to public order or national security.
The initiative, led by Belgium, garnered support from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Norway, while not an EU member, also signed the letter due to its association with the Schengen area and cooperation with the EU asylum agency.
Germany is currently engaged in negotiations with the Taliban regarding deportations to Afghanistan. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that these discussions are 'well advanced.' However, these talks are contentious as Germany does not officially recognize the Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, due to their global isolation stemming from human rights violations, particularly against women. Despite this, Germany has facilitated the deportation of Afghans twice with Qatar's assistance since the Taliban's resurgence.
