German government: two-year admission pledge for Afghans

Afghans who have been accepted through the Federal Reception Program have two years to apply for a visa, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The length of the subsequent procedure, including security checks, is therefore legally irrelevant. "The admission approval is limited to two years and allows people to apply for a visa to enter Germany at a German diplomatic mission abroad," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior when asked.

Once granted, admission can be revoked, especially if the visa procedure is not completed successfully or if there are security concerns. In accordance with German administrative procedural law, legal action can be taken against the revocation of the admission approval. The Federal Foreign Office had emphasized that the promises were binding. However, in view of critical statements by various CDU/CSU politicians, some observers are wondering what will happen for the Afghans waiting in Pakistan after the change of government expected in May.

Three flights planned in April

According to information from the Saxon Ministry of the Interior, three more flights for Afghans from Pakistan to Germany are planned this month: a plane is due to land in Leipzig this Wednesday. In addition, two flights are planned for April 23 and 29. According to the Ministry of the Interior of Lower Saxony, the people expected in Leipzig will initially be taken to the Friedland border transit camp and then distributed to the federal states after two weeks.

Former local employees of German institutions in Afghanistan as well as particularly vulnerable people, such as human rights lawyers or women's rights activists, will be brought to Germany by plane - each with their families. According to the Federal Foreign Office, there are currently around 2,600 people with admission permits in the various stages of the departure procedure.

The coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD states: "We will end voluntary federal admission programs as far as possible (for example Afghanistan) and not set up any new programs." CDU/CSU politicians have expressed outrage at the flights planned for April.

Greens have no sympathy for this

The chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee, Konstantin von Notz, said: "Once again, the CDU/CSU is firing from all cylinders against the admission of people who have fled the Taliban's reign of terror." This was "deeply shabby from a human point of view" and also shook confidence in the German constitutional state and the promises it had made. The fact that the SPD remained silent about this was appalling, said the Green politician. The same applies to Friedrich Merz (CDU), who as future chancellor must immediately make it clear whether he stands by Germany's promises or not.