By Ute Kaiser
The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan for three years. The economic and political situation is putting a massive strain on the lives of the population. Since the seizure of power in mid-August 2021, this has been particularly true for people who oppose the regime. Anyone who protests “falls victim to enforced disappearance, is arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured or otherwise mistreated“: This is reported by the human rights organization Amnesty International. Many members of the opposition fear for their lives.
The situation is particularly depressing for girls and women. Female pupils are not allowed to attend secondary school after the sixth grade, young women are no longer allowed to study, work or leave the house alone.
Opportunities for freedom and security
The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) launched a special Federal Admission Program (BAP) on 17 October 2022. It was intended for those who oppose the restriction of their rights. According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, these “particularly vulnerable people“ were to be given “a piece of hope and the chance of a life in freedom, self-determination and security“. Around 1,000 particularly vulnerable Afghans should be able to enter Germany each month.
The target groups named by the ministry include Afghan nationals in the Hindu Kush country who “have become particularly exposed through their commitment to women‘s and human rights or through their activities in the fields of justice, politics, media, education, culture, sport or science and are therefore individually at risk“. A second group includes people who, because of their gender, sexual orientation or religion, “have experienced or are experiencing specific violence or persecution and are therefore specifically and individually at risk“. This always depends on the specific circumstances of the individual case.
Just a glimmer of hope
The expectations for this humanitarian program were high. The disappointment among those affected in Afghanistan and aid organizations in Germany is all the greater. So far, only six Afghan journalists have made it to Germany, writes the journalists‘ organization “Reporters Without Borders“. The press counts for nothing in Afghanistan. The country ranks second to last out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.
“Reporters Without Borders“ criticizes: With 1000 people per month, 21,000 Afghans in need of special protection should have been admitted to Germany by the end of July this year. By July 12, however, only 540 had actually entered the country. Amnesty International (AI) writes of 581 arrivals. An AI expert says: The admission program “was actually a glimmer of hope“.
“Move on“: 14 admission approvals for 75 applications
One principle of the admission program is that those in particular need of protection cannot apply for admission themselves. Proposals may only be made by so-called “authorized bodies“. One of these is the “Move on“ organization in Tübingen. According to their latest figures, reported by the “Schwäbisches Tagblatt“, “Move on“ has submitted 75 applications, more than half of them for women. A commission has selected 42 applications. 14 people have received a written acceptance letter.
As several organizations complain, leaving Afghanistan for Pakistan is dangerous and very expensive, for example for documents and visas. Families had to sell all their possessions in Afghanistan after being granted asylum. In Pakistan, Afghans who do not have a residence permit are threatened with deportation. Another problem: it takes a long time for the embassy to issue a visa that is only valid for six weeks. But several weeks can pass before the final departure.
“Germany has a special responsibility“
The chances of those in particular need of protection being able to enter Germany are becoming increasingly slim. The federal government‘s draft budget for 2025 states that the money for the federal admission program is to be cut by 90 percent. The Bundestag will debate this draft budget in the fall. More and more humanitarian organizations are already protesting against the plans. Medico international, among others, is calling for the federal admission program to be continued, accelerated and expanded. One justification: Germany has a “special responsibility“ because of its involvement in the two-decade-long military mission in Afghanistan.
Originally, the German government had promised 45,000 Afghans protection in Germany via further admission programs immediately after the Taliban took power. Of these, more than 33,200 Afghans had entered Germany by April 2024: 20,300 local staff and their family members and more than 12,900 particularly vulnerable people and their families. Find out more at:
https://www.bundesaufnahmeprogrammafghanistan.de/bundesaufnahme-de
Specifically on the federal admission program:
https://www.medico.de/bundesaufnahmeprogramm-afghanistan-retten-19604
With lots of information on the situation of girls and women:
https://www.amnesty.de/pressemitteilung-deutschland-bundesaufnahmeprogramm-afghanistan-bap-nicht-einstellen
Especially on the situation of journalists:
https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/pressemitteilungen/meldung/bundesregierung-laesst-afghanische-journalisten-im-stich
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Flughafen Stuttgart. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
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