Nineteen European Union countries, including Norway, have appealed to the European Commission to take urgent measures to return Afghan citizens currently in Europe without a residence permit. The initiative was led by Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Annelien Van Bossuyt.
The letter was signed by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and other countries.
The document calls for "resuming cooperation with the Afghan authorities" and "developing mechanisms for voluntary or forced return." The authors insist that the issue of deportations be a central issue on the EU's migration agenda.
Why is the Issue Relevant, Again?
European governments have been facing difficulties for several years in deporting people whose asylum applications have been rejected.
Thousands of deportation orders remain unimplemented, partly due to the lack of diplomatic agreements with the Taliban, who control Afghanistan. Some EU countries point to risks to public security and increasing strain on social systems.
Ministers insist that return should become “an integral part of EU migration policy,” including incentives for voluntary departure and the possibility of coercive measures if necessary.
Is Dialogue with the Taliban Possible?
Representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) confirmed “technical contacts” with the current Afghan authorities.
Official recognition of the Taliban has been ruled out, but negotiations on practical issues, such as the reception of returnees, are being discussed at the expert level. For many EU members, this remains a politically sensitive step.
Any form of dialogue with the Taliban is perceived as a potential violation of the principle of non-recognition of their regime.
Germany: Example of “Targeted” Deportations
Despite disagreements within the EU, individual countries have already begun to act. For example, in July 2025, Germany expelled 81 Afghans whose protection applications had been rejected. The operation took place with the support of external mediators and coordination with other EU countries.
These flights demonstrated that forced returns are possible, but extremely difficult to implement. Each operation requires careful preparation, identity verification, medical checks, and security guarantees – making the widespread use of such measures virtually impossible without a joint decision at the EU level.
Criticism from Human Rights Defenders
International organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have already expressed concern about the initiative.
Amnesty International points out that Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world, especially for women, media representatives, former government officials, and people associated with Western institutions.
Human rights activists emphasise the principle of non-refoulement: the prohibition of returning a person to a country where they face danger. They also emphasise that “voluntary return” is often forced, when migrants are given a choice between deportation and “consent” to leave.
Disagreements within the European Union
The initiative highlighted the long-standing contradiction between countries demanding strict migration controls and those prioritizing humanitarian standards.
For example, Sweden and Austria advocate for active return, while Spain and Ireland express doubts about Afghanistan's security and refuse to participate in such programs.
Political scientists note that such proposals are often used domestically as part of election rhetoric — to demonstrate a “tough hand” toward illegal migration.
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