Flight Departed from Leipzig/Halle: 31 Afghans Deported – "Predominantly" Criminals
Once again, Afghans have been deported to their home country by charter flight. According to Interior Minister Dobrindt, they were predominantly criminals. However, this description does not apply to one individual – which has sparked debate.
Germany has deported 31 people from Afghanistan by plane to their home country, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. According to information from MDR, the aircraft departed overnight from Leipzig/Halle Airport. The deportees were "predominantly the most serious and serious criminals who had come to attention for homicides, rapes and acts of violence," Dobrindt said on the sidelines of the CSU parliamentary group's summer retreat at Kloster Banz monastery in Franconia.
One person on board had not been a convicted criminal. However, this person had also been obligatorily required to leave the country. They had attempted to seek refuge in another European country but had then returned to Germany.
Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster stated that until now the federal government and the states had "focused on serious criminals." However, due to the "regularisation of the process, the circle is now being extended to all criminals." In addition, people required to leave the country "who have shown no integration efforts, are receiving social benefits, or are not cooperating in clarifying their identity" are to be deported, said the CDU politician.
Dobrindt Wants to "Take a Hard Line"
CSU politician Dobrindt defended the deportation of an Afghan who had not committed any criminal offence. "In recent weeks, we have informed the federal states that deportations of persons required to leave the country to Afghanistan will also be possible in the future when we are not exclusively dealing with the most serious criminals," said the Interior Minister.
The federal government is consistently pursuing its chosen migration policy. The "migration turnaround" is being driven forward "with control, direction and a hard line." The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan is obligated to receive people in their home country. "That is the agreement that has been reached with those responsible in Afghanistan."
Greens Call It a "Dangerous Wrong Path"
Criticism has come from, among others, the Greens. "It is irresponsible that Alexander Dobrindt is now deporting even people to Afghanistan who have done absolutely nothing wrong here," said Marcel Emmerich, the parliamentary group's interior policy spokesperson. "Afghanistan is ruled by a radical Islamist terrorist organisation. It strips women and girls of their rights, oppresses the population and persecutes political opponents to the point of death."
The fact that Dobrindt had struck a "deal" for deportations strengthens the Taliban, "makes us susceptible to blackmail and weakens Germany's own security," said Emmerich. With this Afghanistan policy, the federal government is heading down "a dangerous wrong path."
Demonstrators gathered at Leipzig/Halle Airport to demand an end to the deportations.
Protests at Leipzig/Halle Airport
Late on Monday evening, 250 people gathered in the departure hall of Leipzig/Halle Airport for a rally against the deportation flight, according to the public order office. Several Afghans also took part in the protest. The event was accompanied by a large police presence.
Dobrindt criticized this protest. While demonstrations are a fundamental right, he said he had "very little understanding for the fact that, when it comes to the deportation of the most serious criminals (...), people resort to such actions here."
