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Deportation flight to Afghanistan: 81 criminals in government sights!
On July 18, 2025, the first deportation flight to Afghanistan since August 2024 took off, accompanied by controversial debates about human rights.
Deportation flight to Afghanistan: 81 criminals in government sights!
On July 18, 2025, Germany took a further step in its migration policy: a deportation flight to Afghanistan will be carried out for the second time since the Taliban came to power. The Qatar Airways plane stood ready at Leipzig Airport while several buses took the passengers there. The first inmates got in shortly before 7 a.m. – at least one of them with an ankle bracelet. However, there has not yet been any official confirmation of this flight as the Federal Ministry of the Interior was unable to comment. Deportation flights are usually not announced in advance, which makes the situation even more mysterious. According to Radiowestfalica, it was the first such flight since August 2024, when 28 Afghan men were brought back with the help of Qatar.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) drew a clear framework for these deportations on Tuesday. He emphasized that the deportees were “enforced to leave the country” and “were subject to criminal law”. This is no coincidence: after acts of violence in cities like Mannheim and Solingen, the traffic light government decided to make deportations to Afghanistan possible again. At the last one, Dobrindt stated that serious criminals should not have the right to reside in Germany. However, critics of the deportation policy, such as organizations from the German Institute for Human Rights and PRO ASYL, warn of human rights violations and the lack of constitutional procedures in Afghanistan. The debate about the deportations is being followed with excitement, especially in view of the closed German embassy in Kabul since August 15, 2021. It remains unclear whether the current repatriation was negotiated directly with the Taliban or whether an intermediary was involved, as stated in the article by [Tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/ab Schiebeflug-dobrindt-afghanistan-100.html).
The context of deportation policy
What is the current situation in Afghanistan that would justify such drastic measures? The uncertainty and dangers for the returnees are great, and despite the political decisions, there are always voices that rebel against this approach. The Republican Lawyers Association has also raised concerns. The indifference towards potential human rights violations raises questions about whether and how these can be dealt with in a politically appropriate manner.
The time of the deportation flight fell on the day of the migration summit, at which Dobrindt gathered his counterparts from five neighboring European countries to discuss tightening migration policy. Dobrindt has even suggested holding direct talks with the Taliban, further inflaming the already tense debate. It is expected that this step will cause further waves in both political and public discourse. You can find out more about the motives and effects of this deportation policy in the detailed reports at [Süddeutsche](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundesregierung-liveblog-ab Schiebeflug-afghanistan-li.3281274).
Overall, the situation remains explosive and the coming months could be decisive for how Germany deals with the issue of returns and responsibility for the people affected.