The Ministry of Interior insists on deportation to Afghanistan

On the other hand, the head of the Red Cross called for the suspension of deportations until the situation in the country is settled. As the Taliban advances, “a dire situation prevails where it would not be humane to send people.”

Despite the fierce fighting and The progress of the radical Islamic Taliban movement Unlike other European countries, Austria continues to stick to deportations to Afghanistan. Essentially, the department announced on Friday that there had been “no change” to the Home Office line. The head of the Red Cross, Gerald Schopfer, has called for an end to the practice.

The Interior Ministry has left the question of whether Austria will hold its position open even if the capital, Kabul, falls to the Taliban, as observers expect. “The security situation in Afghanistan is continuously monitored and assessed in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said a written statement issued by the department headed by Karl Nehamer (ÖVP). It was emphasized that Austria was ready “to support Afghanistan in the context of specific requests for assistance so that it can fulfill its international obligations.”

“Every country decides for itself here.”

Regarding the decision of Germany and other European countries not to deport to Afghanistan for the time being, the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna stated that Germany did not stop deportations in general, but only temporarily. “This is where each state decides for itself,” says Nehamer district.

The question of how Austria organized deportations and whether this would still be possible indeed if the previous joint flights with other European countries such as Germany via Frontex were no longer answered only indirectly by the Ministry of the Interior: “In principle, the charter The statement added that the return is carried out through Frontex, and it has been dealt with, but it is not at all necessary to organize Frontex for returnees, and sometimes it is possible to conclude bilateral agreements or direct agreements with countries.

Kogler: Deportations are currently ‘almost unimaginable’

The section does not provide details about future returns. “This would make any planning for the forced evacuation of people who did not leave Austria voluntarily despite the negative legally binding decision and obligation to leave Austria, impossible.”

On the other hand, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (the Greens) confirmed Thursday evening that there are currently no deportations to Afghanistan. “Legally, individual case checks will mean this is no longer an option. It’s actually not possible because pilots are not allowed to land in Afghanistan,” Coogler said on oe24.TV. For Coogler, “it’s almost unimaginable that relay flights will take place in the next few weeks.”

WCC President: “Hell on Earth”

Red Cross chief Schopfer called on the Austrian government to do so To follow the example of other EU countries and end deportations to Afghanistan. “Red Cross representatives on site and Red Crescent representatives agree that this is hell on earth,” Schupfer said Friday at Ö1 “Morgenjournal.” He noted that Austria has signed various agreements to protect human rights when the weather is good.

“I would like to see politicians walking upright. Those who comply with the rule of law and the commitments Austria made in good times, even in unpopular times,” demanded Schopfer in the direction of the ÖVP. In Afghanistan, with the advance of the Islamic Taliban movement, there is a “cruel situation where it would not be humane to send people.”

In a joint letter for further repatriations

At the beginning of the month, Austria wrote to the European Commission from Interior Minister Nahamer and the interior ministers of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands that Afghans would be repatriated. In light of the fierce fighting and the unstoppable advance of the radical Islamic Taliban movement in Afghanistan, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark have already called and suspended further deportations.

The Greek government held its position at least until Wednesday: Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said, according to Reuters news agency, that the European Union would not be able to deal with a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis. Stopping deportations to Afghanistan “sends the wrong message.” According to media reports issued on Friday, Belgium does not want to officially stop deportations to Afghanistan either, but is therefore in the process of reconsidering its position.

>>> To the article in Ö1 “Morgenjournal”

(what or what)