Germany Reverses Sanctuary Pledge, Leaving Hundreds of Afghan Allies in Peril

In a controversial policy reversal, the German government has formally withdrawn promises of resettlement for hundreds of Afghans, predominantly former local staff for the German military, who are stranded in Pakistan. The move marks a sharp departure from the previous administration’s commitments and has ignited fierce condemnation from human rights organizations.

The German interior ministry confirmed that 640 individuals awaiting evacuation will be notified that “there is no longer any political interest in their being admitted.” These individuals had been approved for relocation under programs established by the former centre-left coalition government following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan four years ago.

A Hardening Stance on Migration
The decision is seen as part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s broader strategy to adopt a tougher line on migration, a response to significant electoral pressure from the far-right. Since taking office in May, his conservative government has moved to dismantle key refugee admission schemes introduced by his predecessors.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has been a leading proponent of this stricter approach. The ministry now asserts that only Afghans with a “legally binding” promise—estimated to cover just 90 of the 220 local staff still on waiting lists—remain eligible. For the rest, the government has offered financial compensation in exchange for renouncing their resettlement claims, an option only 62 people accepted last month.

“A Betrayal” and “Moral Bankruptcy”
Human rights groups have denounced the policy shift as a profound betrayal. Karl Kopp, head of the German NGO Pro Asyl, described the decision as “ice cold,” stating, “For the new government, this shameful treatment of people in mortal danger is a declaration of moral bankruptcy.”

The affected Afghans, many of whom worked directly with the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) or government ministries, are considered at extreme risk. “They had fought for women’s rights, human rights and freedom in Afghanistan,” Kopp emphasized, warning they now face “persecution, abuse and death” if forced to return to Taliban rule.

Stranded in Limbo
According to NGOs, up to 1,800 Afghans already approved for German relocation have been stuck in Pakistan for months. A coalition of more than 250 organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued an open letter this week noting that 70% of those stranded are women and children. They urgently called for the evacuation of all 1,800 before year’s end—a deadline set by Pakistan for Afghan refugees to leave.

The personal toll is devastating. A former local police training officer and father of four told the Frankfurter Rundschau: “In a single moment, all my hopes and dreams of a normal life were shattered.”

Broader Implications and a Pattern of Restriction
The reversal occurs alongside other restrictive measures. Last year, Germany resumed deportations to Afghanistan for individuals with criminal records, a policy continued under Merz. This persists despite foreign ministry advisories detailing horrific human rights abuses under the Taliban, including “torture, extrajudicial killings, corporal punishment and public executions.”

Experts warn of severe long-term consequences. Military affairs journalist Thomas Wiegold noted on Bluesky that the about-face could undermine future international missions: “German soldiers can only fervently hope that they will never, ever, ever again be dependent on local support anywhere.”

A Legacy Program Curtailed
The now-terminated programs had offered refuge to “especially endangered people,” such as former local employees, rights activists, and journalists. Official data shows that by April 2025, these initiatives had successfully resettled approximately 4,000 local staff and 15,000 of their family members in Germany.

With the new government’s decision, hundreds who were part of that legacy now find their promises revoked, caught between a deadline in Pakistan and a closed door in Berlin, their futures—and safety—in grave doubt.

 

 

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