BERLIN — Germany plans to resume deportation flights to Afghanistan in this year’s summer, according to German media reports. The decision is part of broader efforts by the European Union to enforce stricter measures on irregular migration.
The move comes amid heightened pressure from the EU to implement tougher policies for returning undocumented migrants. Magnus Brunner, a senior EU migration official, underscored the bloc’s focus on deportations during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “The return of irregular migrants is one of the EU’s top priorities,” Brunner said, emphasizing the bloc’s determination to enforce deportation policies more effectively.
Greece, a key entry point for migrants into Europe, continues to face mounting challenges, including a significant rise in unaccompanied minors. Statistics reveal that the number of unaccompanied children arriving in Greece more than doubled last year, exacerbating an already strained system.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact, adopted in May 2024, introduced a suite of policies aimed at better managing migration. Its goals include strengthening border security, streamlining asylum processes, and fostering solidarity among member states. The pact also mandates that member states uphold human rights in the deportation process.
Despite the EU’s assurances, human rights organizations, including PACM (Protecting Asylum and Migrants), have expressed concern over the potential consequences of focusing heavily on deportations. Activists warn that such measures could push migrants toward more dangerous routes and increase the risk of human rights violations.
“These policies need to focus on legal migration pathways instead of prioritizing deportations, which often lead to further hardship for vulnerable people,” a PACM representative said.
While asylum requests and irregular migration into Europe have reportedly decreased, questions remain about the human rights implications of these policies. Critics argue that measures prioritizing deportation may fail to address the root causes of migration and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.
Germany’s decision to restart deportation flights to Afghanistan represents a significant step in the EU’s migration policy. However, the long-term impact of this move on migrants’ lives and human rights remains unclear.
