Germany has come under sharp criticism for quietly allowing Taliban-appointed diplomats into the country while continuing to insist it does not recognize the group as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. The controversy reignited this week during a session of the “Kabul-NATO Dialogue” in Canada’s Parliament, where Afghan activists questioned Berlin’s apparent double standards.
Germany’s Ambassador to Canada, Matthias Lüttenberg, defended Berlin’s move, describing it as “pragmatic cooperation” with limited scope. He emphasized that permitting Taliban diplomats to operate in Germany does not equate to diplomatic recognition. “Engagement should not be misunderstood as endorsement,” Lüttenberg asserted.
His remarks were in direct response to Afghan civil activist Ejaz Malikzada, who condemned Germany’s approach as a betrayal of democratic values. He questioned how Germany could advocate for democracy in Ukraine while engaging with a regime it previously condemned as extremist. Referring to the Taliban as a “terrorist group”, Malikzada accused Berlin of enabling repression and undermining its own longstanding commitment to human rights.
The criticism follows revelations that Germany has granted visas to two Taliban-appointed envoys:
Sayed Mustafa Hashimi, now based at the Afghan embassy in Berlin, and
Nibras-ul-Haq, posted at the Afghan consulate in Bonn.
German officials confirmed the appointments, explaining they are part of a practical framework to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals with criminal records. According to government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius, the decision was taken to streamline repatriation efforts, allowing deportees to be processed more efficiently.
In June alone, Germany deported 81 Afghan nationals, all classified as criminals, back to Kabul, a move that required logistical coordination with the Taliban-controlled Afghan government.
Despite public backlash, Berlin maintains its stance that the Taliban regime lacks international legitimacy. Officials insist that Germany continues to advocate for inclusive governance, human rights, and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
However, critics argue that such cooperation, even under the guise of expedience, provides the Taliban with de facto legitimacy and undermines the international community’s collective pressure on the group. Afghan activists at the Ottawa session warned that symbolic gestures matter, and allowing Taliban representatives on German soil sends the wrong message to those still fighting for civil liberties in Afghanistan.
It’s worth mentioning that a day earlier, diplomats at the Afghan consulate in Bonn warned they would resign collectively if the German government would proceed with officially recognising Taliban-appointed representatives. It was said that the consulate staff would formally submit their objections to German authorities, emphasising that recognition of Taliban envoys would cross a red line for them.
A senior diplomatic source cited deep concerns over human rights violations under the Taliban regime and the potential misuse of sensitive Afghan citizen data. The source stated that continuing to serve under Taliban-appointed leadership is “inconceivable” for those who were appointed during Afghanistan’s previous republic-era government.
