Since the Taliban seized power, more and more Afghans have been threatened with persecution. With a new protection program, the government wants to help people who are particularly at risk to flee. Critics are bothered by the strict conditions, such as the limited total number of recordings.
Afghans who are particularly at risk will in future be able to find protection in Germany through a new federal admissions program. In the future, around 1,000 people are to enter the program via the program, as announced by the Interior and Foreign Ministry in Berlin. This corresponds to the previous magnitude in the past few months. The SPD, Greens and FDP had already agreed on the project in the coalition agreement.
Especially since the militant Islamic Taliban seized power in August 2021, former employees of foreign armed forces and aid organizations, so-called local workers, as well as human rights activists have had to expect persecution. According to official information, almost 26,000 local workers and particularly vulnerable Afghans and their families have been taken in in Germany so far. According to this, about 38,100 Afghans have received acceptances so far - about two thirds of them have already entered the country.
Afghan nationals in Afghanistan who have campaigned for women's and human rights or who are particularly at risk because of their work in the judiciary, politics, media, education, culture, sport or science should benefit. People who are being persecuted because of their gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, their religion or because of special circumstances in the individual case can also seek protection in Germany through the program.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser explained that in comparison to the rest of the EU, Germany had by far the most local staff and Afghans who were particularly at risk. Regarding the magnitude of the future planned admissions, the SPD politician said: "We see the great burden on the municipalities due to the large number of refugees that we have already taken in this year. We have our eyes firmly on the ability to receive and integrate."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that the task ahead was a mammoth one. "Explaining that we are taking people in is one thing - making sure that they can then come safely from Afghanistan to Germany is another. It will be a joint effort to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves to have." The Green politician promised: "We will not let go."
The federal government worked with several associations and non-governmental organizations to design the admissions programme. Since the German missions in Afghanistan are closed, the security check of the people who are supposed to benefit from the program poses a challenge. The cooperation with the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration, which is usual in similar cases, is also not possible, said a Foreign Office spokesman.
Therefore, among other things, civil society organizations should suggest people for admission. The decision is then made by the federal government. Another difficulty for some is leaving Afghanistan. Because only people who are currently in Afghanistan should be admitted.
According to the spokesman, the first commitments should be made in the next few weeks. But even until the new program is fully operational, people should still be able to come to Germany.
Green politician Julian Pahlke said: "Even if every single person counts, I would have liked a larger scope that is not limited to the total number." The member of the Bundestag demanded: "The program needs to be expanded to include people at risk who have already fled to neighboring countries."
The left-wing faction's refugee policy spokeswoman, Clara Bünger, called the program bureaucratic and unambitious. She, too, criticized the scale: "For many people who fear for their lives and their safety in Afghanistan, it will likely be months or even years before they can get a permit for Germany." People died while waiting to be evacuated.
