Germany: Debate over visits to home countries by refugees
An investigation revealing Afghan refugees' return trips to the Hindu Kush sparks debate over travel restrictions and protected status in Germany.
afghan migrants
German government takes 3,000 Afghans via admissions program
The German government confirmed at the end of last week that 3,000 people have been issued invitations to Germany via a special admissions program designed for those who work in the fields of women's or human rights, or have worked with the judiciary, education, or in politics, and are in danger under Taliban rule.
1,000 days after school ban, Afghan girls thrive in Rwanda – IOM
Since the Taliban barred girls from attending secondary school and university on September 18, 2021, more than 40 girls have moved from Afghanistan to Rwanda to continue their schooling starting in early 2023, IOM stated in a release.
Poland upset after Germans return Afghan migrants
German police returned an Afghan family that had illegally departed Poland. Warsaw decried the move as a violation of law, German police say Polish counterparts left them waiting for hours.
Deportations of Afghans via Tashkent under review by German lawmakers, report
An exclusive report published by the German magazine Spiegel suggests that German lawmakers are in talks with Uzbekistan to send Afghan nationals back to Kabul via a stopover in Tashkent. Such a deal with the Uzbek government would allow Germany to deport Afghans without negotiating with the Taliban.
Germany: Afghan migrant held in police custody after knife attack
A 19-year-old Afghan asylum seeker has been accused of attacking a 41-year-old woman with a knife in the German city of Frankfurt. He is being held in police custody.
Italy: Number of unaccompanied children on the move has doubled
In its latest monitoring report, the International Rescue Committee stated that 3,000 unaccompanied children arrived in Trieste via the Balkan Route last year. Nearly all were boys fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Marzieh Hamidi, Afghan refugee and taekwondo athlete, wants to defy the Taliban
Taekwondo athlete Marzieh Hamidi found refuge in France following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. She says the Taliban and the severe restrictions they have imposed on Afghan women is what brought out her fighting instinct.
Austrian Interior Minister declares the country’s migrant policy is working
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has said that the country’s tougher asylum policy is already proving to be a success, citing a decrease in the number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter Austria. He also underlined the importance of repatriations, including those of convicted criminals to Afghanistan and Syria.
Iran hopes to boost security with Afghan border wall
Tehran is planning to reinforce Iran's border with Afghanistan by building a concrete wall. It's a new obstacle for Afghans attempting to escape from the Taliban's regime.
UK: What will the Rwanda Act mean for Afghan asylum seekers?
The UK government's Rwanda plan will soon become law. How will it affect Afghans seeking asylum in Britain, especially those who arrive from across the Channel?
UK government launches probe into migrant conversions to Christianity
The UK Home Secretary is launching an inquiry into the validity of migrant and asylum seeker conversions to Christianity in Britain. The probe follows questions raised over whether the conversions provide a faster track to asylum.