German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt are facing a criminal complaint filed by advocacy groups PRO ASYL and Patenschaftsnetzwerk Ortskraefte. The complaint, lodged on August 15, 2025, alleges that the ministers failed in their duty to protect over 2,000 Afghan nationals who had been approved for relocation to Germany. These individuals are now reportedly at risk of deportation from Pakistan to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Pakistan has commenced deporting Afghan refugees ahead of a September 1 deadline, a policy that the United Nations has warned could impact over a million people. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed serious concerns, urging Pakistan to halt these deportations and emphasizing that forced returns could violate international refugee protection obligations and endanger lives. The criminal complaint against the German ministers is based on a July 8 legal opinion suggesting potential criminal liability for failing to prevent these deportations. This action is part of a broader legal effort, with over 80 lawsuits already filed by affected Afghans seeking German visa approvals. While some courts have ruled in favor of the Afghans, the interior ministry has lodged appeals. Foreign Minister Wadephul has stated that his ministry is engaged in high-level discussions with the Pakistani government to ensure the protection of those affected. The interior ministry has indicated that while a timeline for the admission program cannot yet be provided, decisions are anticipated soon. Reports indicate that over 400 Afghans with German admission approval have been arrested in Pakistan in recent weeks, with 34 already deported.
The advocacy groups argue that by allowing these deportations to proceed without ensuring the promised German visas, the ministers have committed 'abandonment' and 'failure to render assistance' under German law. The situation underscores the complex humanitarian challenges arising from the ongoing deportations, with organizations like the UNHCR calling for a humane, voluntary, and gradual repatriation process. According to UN data, over 2.1 million Afghans have already been returned or forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, straining Afghanistan's already fragile economy and humanitarian resources.