Dozens of Afghan asylum seekers staged a protest in Berlin on Sunday, condemning the German government’s cooperation with the Taliban and the forced deportation of Afghan nationals. The demonstration took place outside the German Foreign Ministry, with protesters holding signs declaring that deportation amounts to “murder” and calling the Taliban a “terrorist organization.”
The protest comes amid growing outrage over Germany’s decision to deport 81 Afghan nationals—many of whom had criminal convictions—via a charter flight. Human rights activists and protesters argue that deporting individuals to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is a violation of international law and endangers their lives.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Germany recently allowed two Taliban-appointed consular officials into the country to oversee future deportations. The Foreign Ministry confirmed their arrival, claiming the move was meant to provide consular access for Afghans in Germany. However, critics see it as legitimizing a brutal regime known for executions, repression of women, and harboring terrorist groups.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, urged Germany to halt deportations immediately, warning that returning Afghans to Taliban hands may lead to torture, imprisonment, or death. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principle of non-refoulement, which forbids returning individuals to places where they face serious harm.
Protesters accused Berlin of betraying the Afghan people by recognizing Taliban representatives and placing vulnerable lives at risk for the sake of political expediency. The demonstration ended with calls for Germany to reverse its decision and sever all ties with the Taliban regime.
