As reported by the Bavarian State Office for Asylum and Repatriation in Munich, the first deportation flight of the year brought the men to the Afghan capital Kabul.
In total, eight federal states participated in the deportations. 23 of the 36 affected people last lived in Bavaria. Among them, according to the Bavarian authorities, twelve legally convicted offenders.
The flight was the 20th collective deportation to Afghanistan. In total, around 500 people were flown to Afghanistan since the beginning of these deportations. Deportations there are highly controversial because of the security situation in the country. The war against the radical Islamic Taliban and the terrorist militia „Islamic State“ (IS) is expanding. Only on Christmas Eve at least 43 people were killed in Kabul in a several-hour attack on several government buildings. In total, more than 550 people were killed in 228 major attacks in Kabul in 2018.
Recent disturbances have also caused reports that US President Donald Trump could pull off part of the US-based forces stationed in Afghanistan. At the same time there are efforts to solve the conflict politically. So far, several rounds of talks have taken place between US representatives and high-level Taliban. These should lead to direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Further talks are planned for mid-January.
The Bavarian State Office pointed out that, according to the Federal Government, deportations to Afghanistan are generally possible without any restrictions. The Bavarian immigration authorities are therefore obliged by law to deport Afghan nationals who are subject to exemption and who refuse voluntary departure despite prior consultation on the possibilities of organizational and financial support.
