Berlin, July 3, 2025 (Agencies): Germany has suspended its humanitarian admission program for Afghan refugees, leaving over 2,400 individuals stranded in Pakistan, many of them women fleeing Taliban persecution, and casting doubt over the future of one of Europe’s key resettlement initiatives.
The program, launched in October 2022, aimed to provide refuge to Afghans at risk due to their work in fields such as human rights, politics, education, or journalism, or due to gender or religious persecution. However, political developments following Germany’s February 2025 elections led to a rightward shift in immigration policy, and the initiative was frozen with no timeline for resumption.
Among those affected is 25-year-old Kimia, a visual artist and women’s rights advocate. She fled Afghanistan in 2024 and currently resides in a guesthouse in Islamabad funded by the German government. Her final interview was abruptly canceled in April. “All my life comes down to this interview,” she said, fearing she may be forced to return to Afghanistan where her art and activism place her at risk.
Since the program’s inception, fewer than 1,600 individuals have made it to Germany. NGOs report another 17,000 applicants remain in early stages of processing. Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on undocumented foreigners, raising fears among refugees awaiting relocation.
German officials claim the pause is due to a review of migration frameworks and rising pressures on integration systems. Legal representatives for some applicants have filed lawsuits, stating the suspension violates previously granted approvals.
As Pakistan ramps up deportations and Germany stalls resettlement, the safety and future of thousands of Afghans hang in the balance — especially women and minorities already marginalized under Taliban rule.