A number of Afghans residing in European countries are calling on Germany to treat Afghan refugees in accordance with international laws, punish offenders within the country, and reconsider their decision to deport them back to Afghanistan.
Tarz Press – Last Friday, Germany deported 28 Afghans to Kabul, stating that they had committed crimes and were convicted of offenses in Germany. Following this move, Austria also announced plans to deport Afghan nationals who have committed crimes in their country back to Afghanistan. Earlier this week, an altercation at an Afghan wedding in Wuppertal, Germany, resulted in injuries to four guests and five police officers, while another internal conflict among Afghans in France left at least three people injured.
Concerns of Some Afghan Refugees
Shams Rabie, an Afghan residing in Germany, says that in any society, there are people who may intentionally or unintentionally break laws, but they should be punished in the country where the offense occurred. He added, "Germany and other countries must understand that they should not look at all Afghans through the same lens. In Germany, people from various countries commit crimes and must be punished, but Germany's decision to deport them to Afghanistan is a clear violation of international laws, and they should reconsider this decision."
Rabie also pointed out that many Afghans have issues with the current Taliban government in Afghanistan and face threats there. Germany and other European countries should understand the situation of Afghans and the conditions in Afghanistan. Shah Faisal, another Afghan residing in Germany, expressed that Germany’s laws are clear to everyone, and there are also international laws and conventions concerning refugees. However, this decision by Germany has deeply troubled him. Faisal believes that Afghans are currently in a dire situation and need support, and Germany's decision puts their lives at risk. He also emphasized that while Germany should punish those Afghans who have committed crimes according to its own laws, it should reconsider their deportation to Afghanistan.
Najibullah, an Afghan refugee in France, noted that after Germany’s decision, other countries are likely to follow suit, with Austria being a notable example as it has decided to deport Afghans following Germany's lead. He added, "Those who have come to Germany and other European countries have crossed difficult smuggling routes or fled from the Taliban. They have no hope of life in Afghanistan anymore. If they commit offenses, they should be imprisoned and punished here, but deporting them to Afghanistan is a grave injustice."
Najibullah stressed that Afghan refugees should enjoy the same rights as other refugees in European countries and should not be treated differently. Amnesty International and several other human rights organizations have also labeled Germany’s action as a violation of international law and urged Germany to halt the deportation process and stop sending Afghans back to Afghanistan.
