The Afghan Taliban government is once again revealing its double standards on migration and diplomacy. While publicly inviting Afghan migrants abroad to return home, the regime is simultaneously demanding financial support from host countries like Germany and threatening returnees with punishment under law. This contradictory stance came to light after Germany’s Interior Minister proposed a controversial plan to hand over Afghanistan’s consulate in Berlin to the Taliban for facilitating the deportation of convicted Afghan criminals — a move the German government insists is technical, not political recognition.
In response, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees stated that deportations must be voluntary and that Germany should fund reintegration efforts. However, the same spokesperson warned that returnees would be dealt with according to Afghanistan’s legal system — raising serious human rights concerns. Analysts say the Taliban is using the migration issue as a tool to gain international legitimacy while continuing to impose authoritarian control on its citizens.
Ironically, this is the same regime that harshly criticized Iran for deporting Afghan refugees, calling it inhumane and unjust. Now, when facing deportations from Europe, the Taliban is demanding both money and authority — all while offering no real guarantees of safety or rights to returning migrants. This hypocrisy has further exposed the regime’s lack of consistent policy and deepened mistrust among Afghans abroad who fear persecution under Taliban rule.
