The German government has approved the temporary entry of a Taliban delegation to Germany to facilitate the coordination of deportations of Afghan nationals. The announcement was made by a foreign ministry spokesperson during a press briefing in Berlin on Tuesday.

Officials described the group as a “technical support team” rather than accredited diplomats. Their role will focus on supporting consular services for the approximately 450,000 Afghans currently residing in Germany, with an emphasis on assisting return operations, including deportations. The delegation members underwent a security screening and are expected to leave Germany after a short stay.

The decision comes amid Germany’s intensified efforts to curb migration under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative government. Following a significant influx of refugees and asylum seekers in recent years, authorities have adopted stricter deportation policies. Although officials say deportations to Afghanistan will primarily target individuals convicted of criminal offenses, a recent deportation flight returned 23 Afghan men, some of whom reportedly had no criminal convictions.

The move has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which warn against deporting individuals to Afghanistan, citing concerns over widespread human rights violations under Taliban rule. Experts and advocacy groups have raised alarm over the safety and treatment of returnees in the country, emphasizing the risks posed by ongoing violence and repression.

The German government maintains that the collaboration with Afghan representatives is necessary to manage the growing Afghan population in Germany and to ensure the orderly processing of returns. However, the involvement of the Taliban in coordinating deportations has sparked debate domestically and internationally about the implications for Germany’s asylum and migration policies.