Rights groups sue German ministers, alleging negligence as Afghan refugees face deportation from Pakistan to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Advocacy organisations, including PRO ASYL and Patenschaftsnetzwerk Ortskraefte, have launched a criminal case against Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The lawsuit, filed with Berlin prosecutors, accuses the ministers of failing to protect over 2,000 Afghans approved for resettlement in Germany. These individuals, many of whom worked with German agencies or media in Afghanistan, are now at risk of being sent back to a country where they face imprisonment, torture, or even death under Taliban rule.
Pakistan’s Deportation Push Escalates Fears
Pakistan’s recent policy shift has intensified the plight of Afghan refugees. The country’s interior ministry declared that Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which allowed Afghans to reside legally, expired on June 30. A subsequent directive, issued on August 4, instructed regional authorities to enforce the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). This policy has led to the arrest of over 400 Afghans approved for German resettlement, with at least 34 already deported. The United Nations has warned that this could force over one million Afghans to leave Pakistan by September 1, leaving families in limbo and sparking widespread fear.
Vulnerable Afghans Left in Limbo
The Afghan refugees affected include human rights activists, former government officials, and individuals who supported German operations in Afghanistan. Many fled to Pakistan after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, clinging to promises of resettlement in Germany under the Federal Admission Program. However, Germany’s new conservative-led government has paused these relocations to review migration policies, leaving vulnerable Afghans stranded. The lawsuit claims that this delay constitutes “abandonment” and “failure to render assistance” under German law, as deportees face severe risks, including family separations. In one heartbreaking case, a young girl was deported to Afghanistan alone.
Legal Action Seeks Urgent Protection
The criminal complaint, supported by a July 8 legal opinion, argues that German officials could be criminally liable for failing to prevent these deportations. Over 80 individual lawsuits by affected Afghans are also challenging the government’s delays, with some courts ruling in their favour, though appeals by the interior ministry continue. Victoria Lies, a lawyer representing several refugees, highlighted the human toll, noting cases of families torn apart. The advocacy groups demand immediate action to honour Germany’s resettlement commitments and protect those facing deportation from Pakistan.
German Response and Uncertain Future after These Crisis
Foreign Minister Wadephul has acknowledged the crisis, stating that his ministry is engaging with Pakistani authorities to secure the release of detained Afghans and assist those already deported. However, the interior ministry has not provided a timeline for resuming the resettlement programme, citing ongoing reviews. The situation remains tense, with the lives of thousands hanging in the balance. As rights groups sue German ministers, the outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how Germany upholds its humanitarian obligations amid shifting political priorities.
A Call for Humanity
The lawsuit underscores a broader plea for compassion and accountability. For Afghan refugees, the fear of returning to a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is a daily reality, compounded by Germany’s delayed action and Pakistan’s deportation drive, which uproots families and shatters fragile hopes. The international community watches closely as rights groups sue German ministers, hoping for justice, dignity, and safety for those who risked everything to support democratic values, often serving foreign missions, NGOs, and journalists, and who now seek refuge while facing uncertainty, trauma, and the possibility of persecution if forced back.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 15th, 2025
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