Friend of Democracy,
Did you know that the previous German federal government had promised to accept approximately 2,300 Afghans into Germany?1
They have fled to Pakistan to escape the regime in their homeland. They had worked for the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan, they had campaigned for human rights, they have a sexual orientation that is oppressed and persecuted in Afghanistan.
But the newly elected German government2 may not keep the promise. Therefore, the Afghan people in Pakistan face deportation back to the country from which they fled.
These individuals are now attempting to assert their rights through the German courts.3
I think this is a disgrace for my country.
Germany forced millions of people to flee during its dictatorship from 1933 to 1945. Those who found refuge in another country were able to survive. Germany should never forget that.
The current German government seems to have forgotten that.
They act like extremists act.
Because what is the difference between a possible policy of the extremist and unfortunately popular Alternative für Germany (AfD) in government and a policy that, out of fear of the AfD's electoral success, pursues policies similar to those of the AfD?
Yes, I see the problem: The AfD is voted for by (too) many people4 because (too) many people want less immigration. But preventing all immigration for humanitarian reasons is simply inhumane.
This is the logic of the current government: They want to deliver what the extremists promise so that the extremists don't come to power.
Regardless of whether the strategy succeeds, it will not help the Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
See you in Democracy,
Johannes Eber
Thank you for this article and bringing this situation to light. We know what will happen to these people if they are forced to return to Afghanistan. These are dire and extreme circumstances. Sometimes there are circumstances where we need to make strong concessions to meet a challenging situation. How do we get this word out?