Afghan Refugees Stranded as Germany Halts Humanitarian Entry Program

Afghan Refugees in Limbo

• 🎨 Kimia, a visual artist and women's rights advocate, fled Afghanistan in 2024 after being accepted to a German humanitarian admission program.
• ⏳ A year later, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Kimia remains stuck in limbo, with her embassy interview abruptly cancelled and no updates on her status.
• 🌍 Returning to Afghanistan is unthinkable for Kimia and others due to the dire situation for women and girls under the Taliban.

Germany's Humanitarian Admission Program

• 🇩🇪 The German humanitarian admission program, launched in October 2022, aimed to accept up to 1,000 at-risk Afghans monthly.
• ⚠️ Individuals were considered at risk due to their work in human rights, justice, politics, education, or their gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• 📉 Fewer than 1,600 Afghans arrived over two years due to delays and flight cancellations.
• ⚖️ Following a change in government after the February 2025 election, the program has been gradually suspended and the new coalition intends to close it.
• ❓ Approximately 2,400 Afghans are still waiting to travel to Germany, with the foreign ministry providing no clear timeline for the suspension's duration.

Broader Refugee Challenges

• 🇪🇺 Muhammad Mojai, a refugee who flew to Germany from Cyprus under an EU solidarity mechanism, faced rejection after seeking asylum.
• 🛂 Mojai has been waiting for a status, residence permit, or work permit since arriving in Cyprus in 2022, highlighting the exhaustion of prolonged uncertainty.
• 📍 Similar to Kimia, Mojai finds returning to his home country not an option.