Europe rebuked for removing Afghans to one of world's most dangerous countries
Sweden and Germany at forefront of rise in refused asylum seekers being sent back since EU agreed aid package for country
by Patrick Wintour and Sarah Marsh in Hamburg
Dec 22, 2017
3 minutes
Britain and other European nations are under increasing pressure to explain why they are sending hundreds of desperate Afghans back to one of the world’s most dangerous countries.
MPs and MEPs have raised questions about whether the EU tied a 2016 aid package for Afghanistan to its willingness to take back refused asylum seekers.
Since the deal, forced repatriations have accelerated. The International Organisation for Migration says 500 Afghans have been forcibly removed back to Afghanistan this year, compared to 200 last year. More than 3,000 have returned voluntarily this year.
As of September 2017, Afghans
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days