Reuters - A group of 38 Afghans
arrived in Kabul from Germany on Thursday, the first to be deported under an
agreement reached between the two countries this year,
following the rejection
of their applications for asylum.
Thousands of Afghans
joined asylum-seekers from the Middle East and elsewhere entering Europe from
2015, and became the second biggest group of asylum seekers in Germany in 2016
after Syrians, according to German data.
A charter plane
carrying the Afghans, all men, arrived in the Afghan capital from Frankfurt, a
Reuters journalist at Kabul's airport said.
"It was early
morning and I was sleeping when four policemen came to my home and arrested
me," said Ali Madad Nasiri, who said he had been living in Germany for
three years.
"I didn't have
a chance to take my clothes, cellphone and laptop - all left behind," he
told Reuters while carrying a small bag containing a few belongings.
The deportations are
taking place under an agreement reached with Afghanistan in October, a spokeswoman
for Germany's Interior Ministry said earlier.
But the deal has
sparked protests in Germany in recent weeks with critics saying much of
Afghanistan was not safe and the returnees might face reprisals.
The Afghan Ministry
of Refugees will help returnees get back to their homes, a ministry spokesman
said, adding that about 10,000 Afghans had returned from Europe this year.
The next plane
sending Afghans home had been chartered for early January, according to German
media.
More than a million
migrants from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere have arrived in Germany
since the beginning of 2015, prompting concerns about security and integration.
The influx has
boosted support for anti-immigrant groups such as the Alternative for Germany
(AfD) party.
Last week,
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats toughened their tone on migrants
and Deputy Finance Minister Jens Spahn said the legal barriers to deportation
must be lowered.
Afghanistan's
Western-backed government is battling militants who have stepped up attacks
since the withdrawal of most foreign troops in 2014.
Western military
officials estimate the Taliban control or contest nearly a third of the
country. Civilian casualties are near record high levels, with thousands killed
and wounded every year.
The government is
also struggling to develop the economy.
"Everyone loves
his country. I also love my country but what should I do here?," said Mati
Ullah, 22, who said he had no job prospects in Afghanistan.
"Do I have to
go and join the Taliban or Daesh?" he asked, referring to Islamic State
militants.
Reuters.
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