Around 20 countries are pressuring the European Union to take action to return illegal Afghan residents to their home country, by force if necessary.
In a letter addressed to Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, the 20 nations called for stepped-up efforts to deport Afghan citizens living illegally in Europe.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, European countries have been unable to repatriate Afghans, even those convicted of crimes, due to the absence of a formal agreement.
The initiative, spearheaded by Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, is backed by 18 EU member states as well as Norway.
The countries insist the issue must become a priority so that a repatriation deal can be negotiated with Afghanistan and the Taliban regime.
