World Scrutiny May Be the Lone Safeguard

In a troubling turn of events, over 200 Afghan individuals who worked for freedom, rights, and democracy in Afghanistan have been deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan weeks ago. The Pakistani government has made it clear that it will not allow any deportees back into the country.

The federal government, however, is still trying to prevent the entry of a majority of those who were promised protection. This delaying tactic has made the deportation of these individuals possible. The passports of the deported Afghans are still locked in the German embassy in Islamabad, leaving them stranded without proper identification.

Upon arrival, these deported Afghans are currently accommodated in a hotel in Kabul, which is financed by GIZ but under Taliban control. The living situation of these individuals is described as being like a prison and living in constant fear. The Taliban guards stationed outside the hotel add to their sense of unease.

The Taliban is aware of the names of the deported Afghans, and there have been reports of Taliban representatives trying to enter the rooms of a deported Afghan woman and her children multiple times. The woman describes their living situation as being like a prison and living in constant fear.

International attention may be the only protection for the deported Afghans from the Taliban. More than 2,000 Afghan individuals are still waiting for visas to enter Germany, hoping to find safety and security.

In a rare case, approximately 50 Afghan individuals, who successfully sued for visa issuance, have been allowed to enter Germany. The Federal Foreign Office is trying to arrange the return of the deported Afghans to Pakistan, but it remains unclear if and when this will happen.

This situation raises questions about the safety and protection of individuals who have worked for democracy and human rights in Afghanistan. As an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper, arguing since 1979, with partly contradictory positions within a broad left-wing spectrum, we call for urgent action to ensure the safety and protection of these individuals.