German Government Required to Issue Visa to Afghan Family Following Legal Ruling

In a significant legal development, the German government has been ordered to grant visas to an Afghan woman and her family who were awaiting entry into Germany. This ruling comes after a prolonged legal dispute regarding the federal reception programs designed for particularly vulnerable Afghans. The decision was made by the Berlin Administrative Court, which stated that the government was legally bound to fulfill its commitments to the family.

The woman in question, a law lecturer, along with her 13 family members, has been residing in Pakistan while waiting for their visas. The ruling from the court became final after the government withdrew its appeal to a higher court, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg.

Initially, the Berlin Administrative Court had ruled in favor of the family on July 7, stating that the government had binding, non-revoked acceptance notices for their admission. The court also noted that there were no security concerns regarding their identities.

Following this decision, the government sought to contest the ruling at the Oberverwaltungsgericht, which temporarily suspended the lower court's order to prevent any actions from being taken until a final verdict was reached. However, with the withdrawal of the government's appeal, the initial ruling stands.

Currently, over 2,000 Afghans are in Pakistan, awaiting approval to travel to Germany under various federal reception programs. Many of these individuals are former local staff members who are considered at risk due to the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan. The closure of the German embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took control in August 2021 has complicated the process, forcing applicants to undergo vetting procedures in Pakistan.

Recent reports indicate an increasing urgency for these applicants, as Pakistani authorities have detained over 100 Afghans waiting for admission to Germany, placing them in deportation centers. This situation has raised concerns over the safety and well-being of those waiting for a chance to relocate.