Austria announces it will resume deportations to Afghanistan on a case-by-case basis, following Germany’s lead in deporting ‘convicted criminals’ back to Afghanistan. Vienna plans to work closely with Berlin on joint deportations as the security situation in Afghanistan has changed. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner called Germany’s decision “very good” and has been in talks to reassess the EU-wide ban on deportations to Afghanistan and Syria. Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum has confirmed that deportations to Afghanistan are permissible on a case-by-case basis. The Constitutional Court also supported this assessment in a July ruling. Talks are underway with several European countries to implement deportations to Afghanistan. While some politicians support joint deportations with Germany, others highlight the need for careful scrutiny of cases. Minister of Justice Alma Zadic emphasized the importance of applying tough laws against terrorism and Islamism. The Federal Agency for Immigration and Asylum reported that over 21,000 Syrians applied for asylum in Austria in 2023, with almost 9,000 applications from Afghan nationals. The resumption of deportations to Afghanistan is seen as a crucial step for Austria in managing its asylum applications and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
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