Austria has announced it will begin deporting Afghan nationals with criminal records back to Afghanistan, following Germany’s recent actions. Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum has decided that deportations to Afghanistan are acceptable on a case-by-case basis due to the “changed security situation” in the country.
Germany recently deported 28 convicted Afghan criminals, marking the first such deportations since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Austria plans to coordinate with Germany on these deportations, according to Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
“The Austrian Minister of the Interior has long been in discussions with his German counterpart about solutions for deportations to Afghanistan,” Nehammer said. “The next step is to facilitate direct deportations to Afghanistan or Syria.”
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner praised Germany’s decision, calling it “very good.” He emphasized the need to reconsider the EU-wide ban on deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, describing it as “necessary and urgent.”
Afghans and Syrians make up about three-quarters of all asylum applications in Austria. The Austrian Constitutional Court confirmed in July that deportations to Afghanistan could be permissible on a case-by-case basis.
The Austrian government is actively working on implementing these deportations and is in talks with other European countries. Minister Karner stated, “It is crucial that we resume deporting people to Afghanistan and Syria.”
The decision to restart deportations has sparked controversy, especially given the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, have criticized these actions as breaches of international law, citing concerns over the Taliban’s human rights abuses.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, there have been numerous reports of oppression against women, minorities, and former government affiliates. Austria has not deported anyone directly to Afghanistan since 2021, choosing instead to deport Afghan nationals to third countries.
While there is considerable support for joint deportations with Germany, some Austrian officials are calling for caution. Justice Minister Alma Zadić stressed the importance of careful scrutiny, stating, “We have strong laws, and they must be applied. All constitutional options must be exhausted in cases of deportation.”
In 2023, nearly 9,000 Afghan nationals applied for asylum in Austria, underscoring the ongoing challenges in managing immigration and asylum requests.
