Germany Deports 28 Afghan Nationals Amid Controversy

Germany has resumed deportations of Afghan nationals, marking the first such action since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. A flight carrying 28 Afghan convicts departed from Leipzig, with government officials citing security concerns as a driving factor behind the decision. Amnesty International has warned that these deportations could implicate Germany in human rights violations, emphasizing the severe dangers facing returnees in Afghanistan. The decision follows heightened pressures on the German government due to a recent deadly knife attack linked to a Syrian asylum seeker, intensifying the national debate on immigration ahead of upcoming regional elections. Despite criticisms, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that criminals with serious convictions should not remain in Germany, while asserting the need to comply with international laws regarding asylum seekers. The complex situation is further complicated by the absence of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Taliban, necessitating alternative channels for the deportations.