Brussels (Brussels Morning) The German government has delayed a deportation flight to Afghanistan, as human rights groups call for the scrapping of such flights, DW reported on Monday.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Minister of the Interior, Building and Community, Horst Seehofer, said that the flight was being delayed for logistical issues.
Human rights organisations want deportation flights to be cancelled, and point to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
According to AFP, unnamed officials note that Berlin is worried about the safety of police officers who carry out the deportations. The security situation in Kabul reportedly prevented flights between 1 and 6 May.
DPA points out that officials maintain Germany does not plan to scrap its deportation policy.
Germany to support local Afghan staff
Germany is in the process of withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, with the German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer having made clear last month that Berlin would do its best to help Afghans who assisted German troops during their stay there.
German Defence Ministry’s records show that 781 local Afghan staff have been granted refuge in Germany since 2013. The country is looking to streamline the process to make it easier for Afghans to start a new life in Germany.
The US campaign in Afghanistan was launched by then President George W. Bush after the September 11 attacks of almost two decades ago, the aim being to target jihadist groups.
Former US President Barrack Obama announced plans to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan in 2014. His successor, Donald Trump, started the withdrawal, setting a deadline for the pull-back of US troops for 1 May.
The current administration pushed that deadline back to September, with President Biden announcing last month that US troops would leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The pending withdrawal of NATO troops from the country has sparked fears that the move could help jihadist groups regain power in Afghanistan.