Germany drops promise to resettle hundreds of Afghans

"Hundreds of Afghans previously promised sanctuary in Germany have been told they are no longer welcome, in a stark U-turn by the conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz. The 640 people in Pakistan awaiting resettlement many of whom worked for the German military during the US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan will no longer be taken in, as Merz's government axes two programmes introduced by its centre-left-led predecessor."

"Merz has taken a harder line on migration to fend off a stiff challenge from the far right. The people awaiting evacuation would receive notice from Germany in the coming days that there is no longer any political interest in their being admitted, an interior ministry spokesperson said. Rights groups called the reversal a betrayal that defied several court rulings. They warned that the Afghans risked persecution, abuse and death if they were returned."

"Karl Kopp, the head of the German NGO Pro Asyl, criticised the government's decision as ice cold. He added: The previous government promised to take these people in for one reason only: they had fought for women's rights, human rights and freedom in Afghanistan. The people affected were now in acute danger and at risk of falling into the hands of the Islamist Taliban regime, he said. For the new government, this shameful treatment of people in mortal danger is a declaration of moral bankruptcy."

Germany's conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled two resettlement programmes that had promised sanctuary to Afghans, including about 640 people currently in Pakistan. Many of the people awaiting resettlement worked for the German military or served as rights activists, journalists, or government-affiliated local staff and face heightened danger under Taliban rule. The interior ministry said those awaiting evacuation would be notified that there is no longer political interest in admitting them. Rights groups and NGOs called the reversal a betrayal, warned of persecution, abuse and death if returned, and described the decision as morally bankrupt.

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