Berlin Denies Hamburg's Claims on Afghan Deportation Standoff

The ongoing debate regarding the deportation of several Afghan nationals has intensified, with Berlin's governing mayor strongly rejecting allegations from his Hamburg counterpart. According to a statement from the Berlin Senate, the accusations center around the alleged intervention by Berlin authorities to halt the deportation process for three Afghans who had sought asylum in a Berlin church.

The situation arises under the Dublin Regulation, which designates the first EU country of entry as responsible for handling asylum claims. Hamburg officials had requested the deportation of these individuals to Sweden, but Berlin claimed that the Hamburg migration office opted not to proceed with the operation based on direction from its own interior ministry.

In a sharply worded communication, Hamburg's mayor accused his Berlin counterpart of obstructing the lawful deportation of these Afghans, who had converted to Christianity and were seeking sanctuary in a church. The Berlin Senate issued a rebuttal stating that the Hamburg authorities were solely responsible for the cases in question and that Berlin had provided limited assistance in alignment with its policy of respecting church asylum.

Berlin's mayor, alongside the city's interior senator, emphasized that any delays related to the transfer of these individuals were due to decisions made by Hamburg, not Berlin. Additionally, they expressed concern over the tone of Hamburg's correspondence, emphasizing that communication should be handled with professionalism.

Hamburg's spokesperson elaborated that the letter sent to Berlin was prompted by legal obligations to return individuals who were under church asylum in Berlin but whose claims had been denied by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The Hamburg officials asserted that they had obtained judicial orders for the deportation but were met with resistance from Berlin authorities, leading to the current impasse.

The three Afghan individuals are currently residing in a church in Berlin-Steglitz. A local pastor expressed grave concerns about the potential dangers these individuals would face if returned to Afghanistan, particularly given their status as converted Christians.

The focus of the dispute is not merely about the deportation to Afghanistan but rather the process of moving them to Sweden as the appropriate EU country for their asylum applications. Hamburg's mayor characterized the situation as a serious infringement on the rule of law, claiming that the cooperation between church groups and Berlin's police is hindering the enforcement of judicial decisions.

In light of these developments, the Berlin authorities reiterated their commitment to uphold existing laws while managing the complexities surrounding asylum seekers. The ongoing dialogue between the two cities highlights the challenges faced in balancing legal obligations and humanitarian considerations in the asylum process.