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VAN, Turkey In the days before the Taliban took Kabul, an Afghan woman was doubled over sobbing on a bench in a bus station in eastern Turkey, her children wailing at her feet.

Fourteen Turkish security and migration officials swooped down on her and other Afghan asylum seekers as our reporting team was interviewing them, part of an intensive crackdown by Turkey to apprehend Afghans crossing from Iran by the thousands and to prevent journalists from reporting on their plight. As her husband tried to gather their belongings, the woman clutched her stomach and retched. After prolonged questioning, they were escorted to a police vehicle.

We came out of despair, another Afghan, Gul Ahmad, 17, said. We knew if the Taliban had taken over they would kill us either in fighting or they would recruit us. So this was the better option for the family.

Even before the past weeks harrowing scenes of Afghans thronging the Kabul airport to escape the Taliban, many thousands had been steadily fleeing their country over land, making their way some 1,400 miles across the length of Iran to the Turkish border. Their own desperate efforts to escape the Taliban have played out in quieter, though no less painful, tableaus at remote border crossings like the one in the eastern city of Van.

In recent months, as the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan was collapsing, 30,000 Afghans were leaving Afghanistan every week, not all but many across the Iranian border, according to the International Organization for Migration. They have moved to the top of the list of asylum seekers trying to make their way to Turkey, and then to Europe, supplanting Syrians as the largest group of new migrants arriving, even as overall migration numbers have dropped since the high of 2015.

Now that the Taliban are in power, there is every indication that those numbers will swell still further, as people have started selling property and talking about permanent exile.

Many Afghans interviewed in recent weeks said that they had crossed in large groups sometimes hundreds strong but that only a small number had succeeded in evading Turkish border guards. Thousands of Afghans were massed in the border region in Iran, they said.

As the globes recent violent upheavals have displaced millions, whether from Iraq, Syria or parts of Africa, the timing of the final chapter of the war in Afghanistan has left Afghans at the end of the line, and very likely with no recourse.

As in Europe, the public mood in Turkey has turned against immigrants and refugees, sometimes resulting in violence, such as knife fights and a recent attack on Syrians homes in the capital, Ankara. The scale of the pushback by Turkey has increased dramatically since last month, said Afghans, human rights monitors and even government officials.

For President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, the burden of hosting so many refugees 3.6 million Syrians and more than 300,000 Afghans, among others has become a burning political issue, especially as the Turkish economy has worsened. He has made clear he has no intention of opening the door to more Afghans.

When photographs emerged on social media of columns of Afghan migrants walking through Iran toward Turkey in recent weeks, opposition politicians accused Mr. Erdogan of negotiating a deal with the European Union, as he had done for Syrian refugees, to host the growing number of Afghans who are arriving.

Mr. Erdogan has often used the migrant threat as leverage in negotiations with the European Union, while his police have long conducted ruthless operations to control the numbers of migrants and perceptions at home. But he has also railed against Western nations for expecting less developed countries to bear the migrant crisis.

Europe, which has become a center of attraction for millions of people, cannot stay out of this problem by firmly closing its borders in order to protect the safety and prosperity of its citizens, he said in a televised speech last week. Turkey has no duty, responsibility or obligation to be Europes refugee depot.

Aug. 27, 2021, 5:23 a.m. ET

Mr. Erdogan warned Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany by telephone Sunday that his country will not be able to shoulder the additional burden in the event of a fresh wave of migration from Afghanistan. Turkey, he reminded Ms. Merkel, has already taken in five million refugees.

Afghans interviewed in Van said Turkey had tightened security along its border with a widespread and often violent police operation in recent weeks, turning away Afghans regardless of their requests for asylum.

In a single operation in July, more than 1,400 Afghans who had crossed into Turkey were rounded up and pushed back by Turkish border guards and military police, according to a statement from the office of the governor of Van.

Hundreds more, including women and children, have been detained in towns across eastern Turkey as they have tried to make their way deeper into the country.

Such expulsions are against the international convention on refugees, said Mahmut Kacan, a lawyer in Van who specializes in refugee and asylum cases.

Few Afghans know their rights under international law, he said, but Turkey does not abide even by its own laws, since migrants should be entitled to an appeal process before being deported.

Who are the Taliban? The Taliban arose in 1994 amid the turmoil that came after the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989. They used brutal public punishments, including floggings, amputations and mass executions, to enforce their rules. Heres more on their origin story and their record as rulers.

Who are the Taliban leaders? These arethe top leaders of the Taliban, men who have spent years on the run, in hiding, in jail and dodging American drones. Little is known about them or how they plan to govern, including whether they will be as tolerant as they claim to be.

What happens to the women of Afghanistan? The last time the Taliban were in power, they barred women and girls from taking most jobs or going to school. Afghan women have made many gainssince the Taliban were toppled, but now they fear that ground may be lost. Taliban officials are trying to reassure women that things will be different, but there are signs that, at least in some areas, they have begun to reimpose the old order.

The Afghan family detained recently in the Van bus station was sent to a migrant facility and then was expelled back to Iran within days without due process, according to another Afghan, Abdul Wahid, who was detained at the same time.

In an interview before they were apprehended, the husband, Najibullah, 30, said they had made the arduous three-day trek with their 1-year-old twins into Turkey three times in recent weeks, only to be pushed back each time. The children had dramatically lost weight, he said.

His wife, Zeineb, 20, seemed badly shaken by the experience. It would have been better to stay and die in Afghanistan than make this journey, she said. They only gave their first names out of fear because of their undocumented status in Turkey.

The family, ethnic Uzbeks, had left home two months ago partly because the Taliban had seized control of their district in northern Afghanistan. We had nothing, Najibullah said. They would order us to prepare them food. We could barely feed ourselves.

Mr. Wahid was deported after spending four days in a migrant center, and sent a telephone message from Iran about what had happened.

Mr. Wahid had been living in Turkey and had come to Van to help his wife and two children try to enter the country from Iran. They had crossed the border 10 times in recent weeks to try to join him in Istanbul, where he was working in a textile factory, he said, but each time they entered Turkey, police caught them and sent them back. Once they were detained in Tatvan, a town more than a hundred miles from the border, he said.

My wife asked them for asylum, he said. She said she wanted to send her children to school. Initially they said OK, then they deported her.

Many of the Afghans interviewed said that they were looking for economic opportunity but that the Taliban advances and killings had pushed them to leave. Two out of a dozen interviewed over two days recently said they had family members who had been killed by the Taliban.

A teenager, Ilias, 15, wearing a bright yellow T-shirt and black jacket, said he had fled with three friends from his home village in Daikundi in central Afghanistan after his father was killed by advancing Taliban forces three or four months ago.

The Taliban started to attack our area and people started to defend my village, and thats when my father was killed, he said. We three are from the same area and we managed to get out, he said, gesturing to his companions.

They were stopped by the Taliban on the way and questioned, robbed by human traffickers in Iran, and arrived in Turkey without food or money to continue their journey.

Excerpt from:
Afghan Refugees Find a Harsh and Unfriendly Border in Turkey - The New York Times

Tobias Heidland is a professor of economics at Kiel University and the Kiel Institutes director of international development. Jasper Tjaden is a professor of applied social research and public policy at the University of Potsdam.

As the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan approaches, all across the EU, countries are still scrambling to evacuate their former local staff from Kabul. Thousands of clerks, drivers and interpreters who worked for Western governments now fear for their lives, while politicians from many European countries have repeatedly brought up fears of reliving the 2015 refugee crisis.

Causing another 2015 by signaling openness is a widespread concern for many in the EU, including Germany. In late June, even before Afghanistans fall to the Taliban, a majority in parliament had already voted against a more generous admission policy for local staff who had assisted Germany. Across the aisle, the view persisted that easing visa restrictions for Afghans would create a pull effect, leading to much larger refugee flows. But is such leniency likely to create a significant and lasting pull effect? The answer is simple: No.

It is important to keep in mind that 2021 is not 2015. Refugees being airlifted from Kabul are fleeing the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan. By contrast, most Syrian refugees coming to Germany in 2015 had left from Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan, where they were already living in camps or informal arrangements for months, or even years. Nonetheless, 2015 can teach us much about so-called pull effects, as well as the impact of actual policies and potentially misleading narratives.

Doing just that, a study we recently published, analyzed the impact of German Chancellor Angela Merkels 2015 decision, which allowed thousands of asylum seekers to cross the border into Germany, after the suspension of the Dublin Regulation. At the time, Merkels selfies with refugees went viral, reinforcing the impression that Germany had embraced them with open arms. In total, 1.2 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany in 2015 and 2016.

At the same time, however, Merkel faced mass criticism over her decision criticism from inside her own party, various government agencies and the increasingly successful far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Just like today, the fear was that signaling an open-door policy to refugees would cause mass immigration that would be impossible to control.

Six years later, we can now look back and take stock. Analyzing the numbers on asylum applications, immigration, migration intentions and Google searches, we studied data from Germany, comparable EU destination countries and the most relevant regions of origin. And while the refugee crisis has undoubtedly had a lasting effect on the countrys political landscape, there is no evidence of a pull effect.

In reality, Merkels 2015 decision marked the culmination of a process that had already started in 2010 and 2011. Surveys taken in origin countries around the time of the decision actually showed no increase in the number of those reporting they wanted to migrate to Germany, and within a few months, actual migration to the country decreased significantly: quickly falling below levels seen before the summer of 2015.

So why did the alleged Merkel effect never materialize? Mostly because these fears were exaggerated. Leaving ones country is one of the most important decisions a person will make in their lifetime. It does not happen in a vacuum, and migrants adjust to changing contexts and the context changed quickly after September 2015.

Germany, and many other European countries, underwent a swift and restrictive turn in their migration policies. The ongoing EU-Turkey deal is one of the more well-known examples of new restrictions that were introduced at that time. Germany also declared safe countries of origin to which migrants could be expeditiously returned, and funding for the European border and coast guard agency, Frontex, was increased dramatically.

The EU also massively increased funding for countries in the Middle East, hosting millions of refugees, in order to reduce pressures for onward migration. From 2012 to 2015 European governments had failed to sufficiently respond to distress calls warning of funding gaps, as well as the dramatic situation and deteriorating conditions in many of the camps because of it. The eventual increase in funding allowed those who had recently made it across the Syrian border to stay in those camps rather than risk their lives in rubber boats heading to Europe.

Additionally, the intensity of the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan decreased compared to the pre-2015 period. And many potential migrants simply could not afford a journey to Germany, even if they had heard about Merkels migrant-friendly policy (and ignored all the unfriendly changes that followed shortly after).

The present situation unfolding in Afghanistan reminds many of 2015. But looking back, it is clear that welcoming refugees does not necessarily mean attracting more in the long run, and fears of creating a pull effect by appearing welcoming under exceptional circumstances are overblown.

The German case clearly shows states capacity to regulate migration, even after declaring a migrant-friendly stance. And when it comes to Afghanistan, the situation is even more straightforward, as evacuations are restricted to those who supported Western forces. However, in the end, Merkels decision did have one crucial outcome that shouldnt be ignored: It provided safety and better living conditions for millions fleeing from war.

How EU countries should treat their local Afghan staff after the withdrawal of remaining NATO forces has been the subject of intense debate for months now. However, confronted with such a historical loss of face after failing to provide a peaceful and orderly transition in Afghanistan, EU member countries should, at the very least, ensure refugee protection for those who assisted them. There may be reasons to be hesitant but concern that it would attract more migrants should not be one of them.

Read more:
For Europe, Afghanistan will not be a repeat of 2015 - POLITICO Europe

The Greek Migration and Asylum Minister, Notis Mitarachi, said that the country is on high alert at the sea and land borders, as a major migration crisis is on its way due to Afghanistan being captured by Taliban forces, which is expected to cause a flux in Afghan refugees.

According to a statement made during an interview with the newspaper Real News, Mitarachi said that the country would not become a portal for illegal migration once again, implying the European migrant crisis in 2010s when 1.3 million refugees entered the European countries, recording the highest number of migrants since World War II.

In addition, thousands of immigrants died almost every year in the last decade while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Seas hundreds of kilometres.

From 2015, the migrants started passing through the Aegean Sea, reaching Turkey and Greece, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Following this turn of events, Greece has just recently finished building a 40-kilometre wall on its borderline with Turkey in a bid to halt the heavy flow of Afghan asylum seekers.

The only sure thing is that in the face of a possible wave of migration, Greece will not be limited to the role of observer, but will play an active role in the European fora to deal with it effectively, Minister Mitarachi stated.

In another statement made earlier this year, Minister Mitarachi called the secondary movement for migrants and refugees out of date concept, meaning that refugees and migrants who arrive in Greece will be allowed to travel from there to other European countries freely.

Were obliged to provide residence permits and travel documents to recognised refugees, Mitarachi noted, later commenting that migrants are more attracted to the EUs higher salaries and benefits.

Furthermore, FRONTEX, European Border and Coast Guard Agency revealed that 17,300 people illegally entered Europe in July, recording a 33 per cent increase compared to the same time in 2020.

According to FRONTEX, the Western Balkan route experienced 3,600 cases of illegal passing in July, marking a 90 per cent increase for this year. The majority of migrants were Syrians, Afghans and Moroccans.

On the other hand, Europe is being overwhelmed by another migration crisis in the east, with Belarusian attempting to enter the neighbouring countries of Lithuania, Poland and Latvia after a chaotic political situation is occurring in the country. In July alone, over 3,000 Belarusian illegally entered Lithuania, whereas 180 went to Poland and 200 in Latvia.

Moreover, FRONTEX has accused Greece of illegal pushbacks due to the Greek border control that sent back many asylum seekers to the Turkish sea after taking their documents, money and cellphones.

Both countries have witnessed a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers at borders due to their geographic location, which makes the countries most accessible to asylum seekers.

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Migration Minister: Greece Will Not Become a Gateway for Illegal Migration - SchengenVisaInfo.com - SchengenVisaInfo.com

Its member states are holding off on announcing how many Afghan asylum seekers they will offer shelter to amid fears of a new migrant crisis. This leaves the bloc flagging behind its international partners, who have already declared they will regime huge numbers of refugees from Afghanistan. The UK has already vowed to take in 20,000 vulnerable Afghans threatened by the Taliban.

In recent days, Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa insisted that the EU should not open its doors to Afghan migrants.

The EU will not open any European migration corridors for Afghanistan, he fumed.

Mr Jansas intervention is crucial because he currently holds the EUs six-month rotating presidency.

It means Slovenian ministers and officials are in charge of the inter-governmental negotiations in Brussels because EU member states.

He said there could not be a repeat of the strategic mistake of the 2015 migrant crisis, when the EU introduced a mandatory migrant resettlement scheme despite huge opposition from Hungary and Poland.

European Parliament President David Sassoli quickly lashed out at the Slovenian leader in what soon became a bitter Twitter clash.

Its not up to the Slovenian Presidency to say what the position of the EU is on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Mr Sassoli said.

The EU Parliament chief has previously called for refugees to be equally shared out across the bloc.

Mr Jansa fired back: It is up to the EU member states to decide if they want to take another wave of migration or not.

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Meanwhile, EU member states are busy erecting anti-migrant fences and barriers across the blocs borders to stop refugees entering illegally.

Greece, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have all begun construction to bolster defences on the EUs frontiers with Turkey and Belarus.

The building comes despite previous criticism of former US President Donald Trump, who used the pledge of a wall to keep migrants out on American border with Mexico to help propel himself to the White House in 2016.

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EU crippled by infighting over Afghan refugees while global UK accepts 20,000 - Daily Express

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the European Union cannot expect Ankara to take on the blocs international responsibilities to resettle asylum seekers. In a phone call, the strongman leader told EU Council President Charles Michel: Turkey cannot handle an additional burden of migration. Third countries cannot expect Turkey to take on their international responsibilities.

Eurocrats had been banking on an agreement with Turkey to prevent a fresh wave of asylum seekers from reaching Europes shores.

Veterans of the 2015 crisis, which saw more than 1.2 million travel to the bloc from war-torn nations in the Middle East and Africa, say simply allowing a repeat is not a solution.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently said that Turkey would play a key role in managing the risk of a large wave of Afghan refugees arriving in the bloc after fleeing the Taliban.

The diplomat said: We need to ensure that the political situation created in Afghanistan by the return of the Talibandoes not lead to a large scale migratory movement towards Europe.

He added: "They are and will be coming to Europe via Iran, Iraq or the eastern Mediterranean.

This shows that we need to work hard with transit countries. A humanitarian crisis must be prevented. Here, Turkey will play a very important role."

But Turkey immediately rejected the approach and warned Brussels it is not willing to act as Europes refugee warehouse.

Ankara has also said it will not become the border guard or refugee camp of the EU.

Britain has pledged to take in 20,000 Afghans but the EU has been reluctant to open its borders.

There is a sense of panic amongst EU governments that they will not be able to prevent a repeat of the 2015 migrant crisis.

The United Nations has said that 400,000 Afghans have been internally displaced within the country this year alone.

And EU leaders believe many of them will head for Europes shores in the coming months.

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EU commissioner Ylva Johansson said: We have learned the lesson from 2015 so that we will not see a new migration crisis in the EU.

We should not wait until we have Afghan refugees at our external borders. We have to intervene much earlier and that also, of course, includes money.

The EU must make sure that we dont end up in a situation where a lot of people embark on dangerous smuggling routes ending up at our external borders.

And this is an important gender issue because we know that those that are going on the irregular routes are mainly men. But we also know that those that are in most danger now in Afghanistan are women and girls. And thats why we need to protect women and girls.

President Erdogan vowed to put a complete stop to migrants entering the country and has ordered the construction of a 150-mile wall on its border with Iran.

Meanwhile EU leaders have refused to make claims about the number of Afghans they may take in.

Mrs Merkel said Germany would fly 10,000 people out of Afghanistan and Spain has offered to become a hub for 400 migrants that worked for EU member states.

But beyond that, most pledges have been left vague or even non-existent.

Armin Laschet, the favourite to replace Mrs Merkel as chancellor after next months elections, said: We should not send the signal that Germany can take everyone in need.

Italian premier Mario Draghi said: We have begun to outline what will be the fundamental lines of co-operation at a European level.

Greece has told its EU colleagues that it does not want to become a gateway to Europe.

Its migration minister Notis Mitarach added: The EU is not ready and does not have the capacity to handle another major migration crisis.

Athens has already started work on an anti-migrant fence on its border with Turkey to keep would-be asylum seekers out.

Austria has refused to take in any Afghan asylum seekers and will instead continue deporting those whose applications fail.

Interior minister Karl Nehammer said: Illegal migration, which runs through a dozen safe countries and where migrants simply choose a destination country, must be stopped.

There is no reason why an Afghan should come to Austria now.

More here:
Turkey throws down gauntlet as Erdogan warns nation will not be 'warehouse' for refugees - Daily Express