Federal Admission Programme for Afghanistan Saved

Federal Admission Programme for Afghanistan Saved

The German coalition parties have agreed to continue funding the Afghan admission programme. This decision, reached on Wednesday evening, secures at least 27 million euros in next year’s budget to support Afghan human rights advocates and others threatened by the Taliban. The programme may also receive additional funding from an EU fund. In earlier budget drafts, no allocation had been made for this programme. Green Party representative Leon Eckert emphasized the importance of maintaining legal pathways to Germany, given the current situation in Afghanistan.

The Federal Admission Programme, established in 2022, focuses on Afghans targeted by the Taliban for their work in human rights and democracy. Individuals persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender are also considered in specific cases. However, there is a separate procedure for local Afghan staff who worked for the German military.

Since the programme’s launch, there have been delays attributed to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Originally, around 1,000 individuals were expected to be evacuated each month, but only a few hundred have arrived in Germany. Meanwhile, over 32,000 people have been evacuated through other means, including a prior list-based procedure.

Currently, more than 3,000 Afghans remain stranded in Pakistan despite having approval for resettlement. At least 10,000 others are eligible for evacuation and are already on contact lists.

Eckert expressed satisfaction with the parliamentary decision, stating, “This agreement allows us to continue welcoming those who have championed civil society, human rights, and democracy. Together, we are making a vital statement of humanity.”