Germany deports 28 Afghans after deadly Solingen knife attack

Aug 30, 2024

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

Germany resumed deportations to Afghanistan on Friday, Aug. 30, marking a significant shift in its migration policy. This decision comes nearly three years after deportation to Afghanistan stopped due to safety concerns following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The flight carried 28 Afghan nationals, individuals German authorities identified as convicted criminals, from Leipzig to Kabul.

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This move reflects the growing pressure on Germany’s coalition government to adopt a tougher stance on migration, particularly following recent high-profile crimes linked to asylum-seekers.

Last week’s knife attack in Solingen, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum-seeker with ties to the Islamic State, resulted in three deaths and has intensified public debate. The suspect previously evaded a deportation order to Bulgaria, further fueling scrutiny of the government’s migration policies.

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Earlier this week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the Solingen attack by pledging to tighten deportation laws and crack down on knife regulations. His government faces increased pressure ahead of key regional elections and passed legislation aimed at streamlining deportations.

The resumption of deportations also aligns with upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is gaining support by advocating for stricter immigration controls.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced plans to further tighten security measures, including new knife laws, in response to the Solingen attack.

However, human rights organizations criticized the decision to deport individuals to Afghanistan. The groups argued that the country remains unsafe under Taliban rule and that the move could violate international law.

Tags: Afghanistan, Germany, Immigration, migrants, Syria, Taliban

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

GERMANY RESUMED DEPORTATIONS TO AFGHANISTAN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE TALIBAN TOOK POWER IN 2021. AUTHORITIES SAY A FLIGHT CARRYING 28 AFGHAN CONVICTED CRIMINALS BACK TO KABUL, DEPARTED LEIPZIG FRIDAY.

THE DECISION TO RESUME DEPORTATIONS COMES AMID HEIGHTENED CONCERNS ABOUT CRIMES LINKED TO MIGRANTS IN GERMANY. LAST WEEK, A SYRIAN ASYLUM SEEKER REPORTEDLY CARRIED OUT A KNIFE ATTACK AT A FESTIVAL IN SOLINGEN, KILLING THREE PEOPLE. THE SUSPECT, CONNECTED TO THE ISLAMIC STATE, HAD EVADED A PREVIOUS DEPORTATION ORDER TO BULGARIA.

THESE INCIDENTS HAVE INTENSIFIED DEBATES OVER GERMANY’S IMMIGRATION POLICIES, ESPECIALLY WITH REGIONAL ELECTIONS APPROACHING. THE FAR-RIGHT ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY PARTY IS GAINING SUPPORT IN SOME REGIONS, PUSHING FOR STRICTER MEASURES ON MIGRATION.

CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ’S GOVERNMENT IS RESPONDING BY TIGHTENING SECURITY AND ASYLUM POLICIES, INCLUDING THE RESUMPTION OF DEPORTATIONS TO COUNTRIES LIKE AFGHANISTAN AND SYRIA. HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CRITICIZED THE MOVE, WARNING THE BASHAR ASSAD REGIME IN SYRIA AND TALIBAN RULE IN AFGHANISTAN MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR RETURNING ASYLUM SEEKERS.

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