The German Foreign Ministry has acknowledged that Afghanistan’s diplomatic mission in Munich will assume consular responsibilities for Afghan citizens, according to a report by Deutsche Welle. The decision comes as the Taliban-led Afghan government restricts consular operations to Munich.
According to documents obtained by Deutsche Welle, the German Foreign Ministry responded with a “formal notification” to Afghanistan’s de facto government in Kabul, recognizing the shift of consular duties to the Munich mission. This decision follows what Berlin referred to as “technical discussions” with the Taliban authorities.
The German government’s stance has raised concerns among legal experts and the Afghan diaspora. Winfried Kluth, a law professor at the University of Halle-Wittenberg, told Deutsche Welle that there is little Berlin can do to counter the Taliban’s move under international law.
The German Foreign Ministry, however, has contested one aspect of Kabul’s decision: the Taliban’s insistence that the Munich consulate will serve not only Afghans residing in Germany but also those across Europe. German officials argue that such an expansion of consular jurisdiction would violate the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs the conduct of diplomatic missions.
Members of the Afghan diaspora in Germany have expressed deep concern over the potential influence of the Taliban within the country, fearing increased pressure on the Afghan community. In response to Berlin’s acceptance of the Taliban’s decision, Afghan activists had planned a demonstration in the capital. Although an initial request for a protest on September 1 was denied by local authorities, organizers hope to stage the event on September 11.
This development underscores the challenges faced by European governments in navigating diplomatic relations with Afghanistan under Taliban rule, while also addressing the concerns of Afghan citizens living abroad.
