EU nations urge bloc against halting Afghanistan deportations

Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany say returns must still be permitted despite ongoing fighting amid Taliban advance.

Six European Union member states have warned against halting deportations of Afghan asylum seekers despite major advances by Taliban fighters in the war-torn country. The Taliban, fighting to reimpose their strict interpretation of Islamic law after they were removed from power in 2001, have stepped up their campaign to defeat the government as US-led foreign forces pull out, capturing a sixth provincial capital on Monday. “Stopping returns sends the wrong signal and is likely to motivate even more Afghan citizens to leave their home for the EU,” Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany said in the letter to the EU’s executive, dated August 5 and seen by Reuters.