Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has proposed transferring control of the Afghan consulate in Berlin to the Taliban-led government in Kabul, a move aimed at enabling the deportation of Afghan nationals with criminal records. The suggestion, made in an interview with a German media outlet, has sparked fresh debate over Europe’s evolving approach to the Taliban regime and its broader migration policy.
Dobrindt emphasized that the plan does not amount to official diplomatic recognition of the Taliban. However, he admitted that the absence of a formal agreement with the Islamic Emirate has left Germany unable to carry out deportations or extend detention periods for Afghan nationals awaiting removal.
“One of the problems I recognize and needs to be resolved is how we can properly carry out deportations,” Dobrindt stated. “Until we have an agreement, we cannot send anyone back to Afghanistan, and I cannot extend the detention period for deportation.”
The Interior Minister said he had already reached a consensus on the matter with Germany’s Foreign Minister, laying the groundwork for a possible shift in policy despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with Kabul.
The same German outlet also interviewed Abdulmutalib Haqqani, spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, who insisted that all Afghan returns from Germany must be strictly voluntary. Haqqani further stated that deported Afghans should receive financial support from the German government to help reintegrate into Afghan society and rebuild their lives.
“We accept our citizens back from Germany, but it must be voluntary, not forced,” Haqqani said. “Additionally, the German government should financially support their resettlement in Afghanistan so they can remain permanently.”
When asked how deported individuals with criminal records would be handled, the Taliban official said they would be dealt with under Islamic Sharia law, pending a review of their legal documents and cases.
Germany has previously deported Afghan nationals convicted of crimes, though such actions have stalled since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 due to the lack of official recognition and diplomatic framework.
This proposal comes amid mounting pressure on European governments to manage migration and deport foreign nationals with criminal records. It also coincides with a broader trend in the region: in recent months, Iran and Pakistan have forcibly deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom have lived outside their homeland for years.
The suggested consulate handover could mark a significant turning point in how Western governments interact with the Taliban — potentially signaling a new phase of pragmatic engagement focused on migration control and bilateral cooperation, even without formal recognition. However, the plan is likely to face fierce scrutiny both domestically and internationally, particularly from human rights organizations concerned about forced returns and the legal fate of deportees under Taliban rule.
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