France is in talks with Taliban authorities about returning some Afghan migrants who do not have permission to reside in the country, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told parliament on Monday. He described the discussions as technical and said the aim was to make it possible to return a certain number of people. He also noted that Germany carries out similar returns.
Neither France nor Germany officially recognises the Taliban government, though both have held high-level discussions with it. In June, a Taliban delegation travelled to Brussels for talks with the European Union and 15 member states on accepting rejected asylum seekers. The meetings drew criticism from human rights organisations and left-wing groups.
The Taliban government also voiced concern on Monday about reported US plans to deport Afghan migrants to Pakistan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Kahar Balchi urged Washington to act responsibly and take account of the rights and legitimate claims of those affected. He said Kabul was willing to cooperate on the matter through mutual understanding.
The New York Times, citing three US government officials, reported that the United States was considering deporting more than 150 Afghans via Pakistan. A direct return to Afghanistan is not possible for the US government, and those sent back could face persecution and violence. AfghanEvac, a human rights group, said the people affected include Afghans who supported the US military before its 2021 withdrawal.
The Taliban announced a general amnesty for former employees of Western forces and governments after taking power, but UN reports have continued to document extrajudicial killings, arbitrary justice and mistreatment. The Taliban have also been widely accused of violating fundamental rights, with conditions for women and girls worsening sharply since the group’s return to power.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain tense following repeated clashes along their shared border. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering fighters responsible for attacks in Pakistan, an allegation Kabul denies. Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s government has instructed security agencies to detain Afghan nationals without valid visas.
Sources: Der Spiegel.