RASC News Agency: The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag has revealed that parliamentary representatives from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) have called on the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to suspend the evacuation of Afghanistani nationals by June and devise a new policy framework for the program. Ruben Neugebauer, founder of the non-governmental organization Kabul Luftbrücke (Kabul Air Bridge), warned in an interview that such a decision could have grave consequences for those relying on Germany’s protection.
“This move could prove fatal for individuals who placed their trust in Germany and are now being abandoned to face imminent danger,” he stated.
Andrea Lindholz, deputy chair of the CSU, emphasized that asylum cases involving Afghanistani collaborators must be examined with precision and care.
“The aim is to conduct a thorough overhaul of the existing program. Those who were previously given assurances must have their cases evaluated individually and meticulously,” she said. Following the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, the German government has spent over 182 million Euros facilitating the evacuation of Afghanistani nationals. With the potential suspension of this process, two scenarios are reportedly under review: either revoking pending asylum applications or recalibrating the process through alternative pathways.
Under the first scenario, asylum claims would be individually reassessed and potentially annulled if no immediate risk can be substantiated. The second approach involves exploring alternatives to direct relocation including transfers via third countries or secure transit hubs though these mechanisms remain undefined. Members of the CDU and CSU, both part of the current governing coalition, have also begun to question the legitimacy of previous commitments to Afghanistani evacuees. Lindholz reiterated:
“The objective is to conclude these programs responsibly. Any prior promises must now be scrutinized on a case-by-case basis.”
Current data indicates that approximately 4,800 Afghanistani nationals remain in Afghanistan and Pakistan awaiting relocation. The majority are former employees of the German armed forces or affiliated institutions and agencies.
