Afghan families in Pakistan at risk
In Pakistan, over 3,000 Afghans are currently waiting for their visas to be issued, even though they have already received offers of asylum in Germany. Among them are former local staff members who worked with German forces and now face significant dangers to their lives.
The reason for the long wait is that security checks and visa issuance by the Federal Republic of Germany often take several months. Too long, because last week Pakistani security authorities began deporting those affected back to Afghanistan.
As a result, people are in great fear; many no longer leave their accommodations, a young woman reports:
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"The uncertainty we face has brought back painful memories of the dark days in Kabul. Returning to Afghanistan is a decision for death. For us, the very idea is hell – an uncertain future full of extreme dangers that offers neither life, nor work, nor meaning."
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Together with other organizations Terre des Hommes therefore addressed an appeal to the Federal Foreign Office on January 13, 2025:
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Appeal to the Foreign Office:
Faster visa processing for Afghan refugees in Pakistan with a commitment to Germany
In Pakistan, over 3,000 Afghans with accepted asylum applications for Germany are currently waiting for their visa documents to be issued. Security checks and visa processing often take several months. This is too long, because last week Pakistani security authorities began deporting those affected back to Afghanistan. Among them are former local staff members who face significant risks to their lives in Afghanistan. German authorities have a responsibility to evacuate these asylum seekers from the danger zone as quickly as possible.
Germany must live up to its responsibility towards these people who stood up for Western values in Afghanistan. Trusting in the promises of resettlement, those affected not only left behind their possessions, but now face greater fear for their lives than ever before upon returning to Afghanistan.
The signatory organizations of this appeal therefore demand the accelerated processing of visa applications and the implementation of security checks in order to prevent further deportations of Afghans who have been granted admission to Germany.
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Signatory organizations:
- Afghan Women Activists Coordinating Body (AWACB)
- Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI)
- ArtLords
- Bavarian Refugee Council
- Federal Association of Psychosocial Centers for Refugees and Victims of Torture (BAfF eV)
- Alliance of Hamburg Refugee Initiatives (BHFI)
- Climate Activist Defenders
- German Bar Association (DAV)
- German Association of Women Lawyers (djb)
- Swiss German PEN Center
- European Organization for Integration eV (EOI)
- Berlin Refugee Council.
- Refugee Council Mecklenburg-Vorpommern eV.
- Refugee Council of Rhineland-Palatinate eV.
- Refugee Council of Saxony-Anhalt eV.
- Refugee Council of Schleswig-Holstein eV.
- Hessian Refugee Council
- International Rescue Committee (IRC) Germany
- Kabul Airlift
- The LSVD⁺ – Association for Queer Diversity
- Mission Lifeline International eV.
- move on - menschen.rechte Tübingen eV.
- Munich Refugee Council
- New Judges' Association - Association of Judges and Public Prosecutors.
- Reporters Without Borders Germany
- Republican Lawyers' Association (RAV)
- Social Initiative Hamburg SI-HAM eV.
- Stitching for School and Life eV (SSL eV)
- Terre des Hommes Germany e.V..
- Association of Afghan Organizations in Germany (VAFO)