Afghanistan Peace CampaignGloden said he had previously discussed the issue with German officials, who responded positively to a request for assistance in returning convicted Afghans.
Léon Gloden, Luxembourg’s Minister of Home Affairs, says his country cannot avoid talks with the Islamic Emirate over the return of Afghan nationals and is prepared to engage with them to facilitate the deportation of convicted individuals.
In an interview with a Luxembourg newspaper, Gloden said he had previously discussed the issue with German officials, who responded positively to a request for assistance in returning convicted Afghans.
Gloden told Luxemburger Wort: “We cannot afford not to speak with Syria or the Taliban. The Taliban are a regime that does not reflect the values we would wish for. But if we have a convicted violent offender here in Luxembourg who is an Afghan national, then we must be able to return him. And who can you speak to there? The Taliban are there.I also spoke with our German colleagues at the time and asked: If we have an Afghan offender here who has been convicted, would you be prepared to help us return him to Afghanistan? The answer was positive.”
Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat, said: “The Islamic Emirate should make use of these opportunities and develop a plan. It should accept the legitimate conditions of the international community, which are also the demands of the Afghan people, so that Afghanistan can integrate into the international community and expand its relations. This would contribute to Afghanistan’s progress and development in all areas.”
Several European countries largely suspended deportations of Afghans in 2021 but began limited deportations again in 2023. Efforts at the European Union level to establish mechanisms with the Islamic Emirate for the return and readmission of Afghans intensified in 2025.
Most recently, on June 23, 2026, a delegation from the Islamic Emirate met in Brussels with EU officials and representatives of 15 member states to discuss technical cooperation on the return and readmission of Afghan nationals.
Mohammad Jamal Muslim, a migrant rights activist, said: “Unfortunately, the expedient approach of some host countries has caused concern among thousands of people who are struggling to survive. If international organizations and the international community do not speak out about the current situation facing migrants and their forced deportations, which could even put their lives at risk under difficult circumstances, then no place on earth will be safe for migrants.”
Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, another migrant rights activist, said: “Before deporting Afghan nationals, European countries should coordinate with Afghan authorities, conduct individual assessments, ensure the safety and human rights of migrants, and establish mechanisms to monitor their situation after return.”
On Tuesday, Germany also returned nearly 30 Afghan asylum seekers to Kabul on a charter flight.