First Afghans arrive in Germany under special admissions program
Germany’s Federal Admissions Program for at-risk Afghans, which had been suspended due to allegations of abuse, is operational again, marking its restart with the safe relocation of two queer Afghan men to Bremen. These individuals, who suffered torture in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s persecution, were relocated in collaboration with the Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD) and Rainbow Afghanistan. Despite initial criticism for not relocating any of the identified vulnerable Afghans, ongoing efforts aim to move 1,000 to 2,000 queer individuals to Germany in the coming years. The program, bypassing the need for asylum applications, allows direct applications for residence permits, indicating Germany’s commitment to offering refuge to threatened Afghans amidst various challenges. Read full article