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Scandal surrounding Dobrindt's offer of help for Afghans: Ulm Green politician speaks of inhumanity!
The Ulm Green Party politician Emmerich criticizes Dobrindt's handling of Afghan refugees and the lack of evacuation plans.
Scandal surrounding Dobrindt's offer of help for Afghans: Ulm Green politician speaks of inhumanity!
The handling of the reception of Afghan local staff in Germany is causing increasing dissatisfaction among political actors. Particular focus is on the Ulm MP from the Green Party, Marcel Emmerich, who recently criticized Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) for his inadequate answers at a special meeting of the Interior Committee. Emmerich criticized the lack of a viable plan for the evacuation of those Afghans who are waiting to enter Germany with a confirmation of admission. This situation is particularly dramatic since almost 1,900 Afghans are currently living in Pakistan and are only at acute risk of being deported by the Pakistani government. They worked as local workers or actively opposed the Taliban, and are now in guesthouses in Islamabad, scared and without a clear perspective.
Dobrindt is optimistic and sees scope for possible departures in January and February, but remains vague when it comes to actual implementation. daily news reports that the federal government plans to end all voluntary admission programs, as set out in the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD. As a result, many Afghans are trapped in a legal gray area.
The numbers and background
The situation is challenging: around 36,300 people have been brought to Germany since May 2021 through various reception programs. These are around 21,000 Afghan local workers and their families. Last week, 52 Afghans arrived in Germany. The BAMF coordinates this recording, but the process is slow and takes longer than hoped.
The local staff face a number of hurdles because they have to go through security checks before being accepted. In addition, the promises that many of those waiting rely on must be legally binding. Many have to wait for formal confirmation, which is not the case in the majority of cases. For example, some commitments from the Bridging Program or the Human Rights List have been classified as not legally binding, further complicating the situation.
The controversial offer
Dobrindt's offer to offer Afghans in Pakistan money and benefits in kind if they forego entry to Germany has been particularly heavily criticized. Emmerich described this approach as inhumane and criticized the fact that it shifted the federal government's responsibility onto those affected. In this context, it is worth noting that so far 62 people have accepted this offer, although the support is only offered for a limited time.
The Left and the AfD accuse the federal government of neglecting humanitarian obligations. UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett raises serious concerns and speaks of “serious consequences” for the people waiting in Pakistan as a deadline expires at the end of the year and their situation is more than tenuous. According to Bennett, the federal government's attitude is “more than disappointing” and shows a failure in human responsibility towards the Afghans.
The pressure on the federal government is growing, not only from political opponents, but also from the people affected who are looking for security and prospects. Emmerich therefore calls for a clear and robust plan to provide the Afghans with the help they urgently need.