Afghan female footballer in Germany faces deportation threat

An Afghan female footballer, seeking refuge in Germany after fleeing Taliban threats, now faces deportation under EU asylum policies.

Nazira Khairzad, a former player of the Afghanistan women’s national football team, is facing possible deportation from Germany to Italy, despite fleeing her home country due to security threats posed by the Taliban. Her case has raised significant concern among human rights activists and refugee advocacy groups.

According to Deutsche Welle on Saturday, April 19, Khairzad sought asylum in Germany after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, citing targeted threats due to her role as a female athlete and public figure. However, under the European Union’s Dublin Regulation, Germany has requested that she be sent back to Italy—the first EU country she entered.

The German government’s position is shaped by EU policies that delegate the responsibility of processing asylum claims to the first EU country of entry. Germany has increasingly limited its intake of new asylum seekers, prompting controversy around the fairness of such decisions, especially in high-risk cases like that of Khairzad.

Elke Gabsa, the legal representative for Khairzad’s family, has warned that deporting her to Italy could violate fundamental human rights. Gabsa emphasized the psychological and social consequences of family separation and called on German courts to intervene to prevent further trauma for the Khairzad family.

Following the Taliban’s return to power, thousands of Afghans—especially women, journalists, and athletes—fled the country due to the threat of violence, persecution, and retribution. Many now find themselves trapped in bureaucratic limbo within Europe’s complex asylum system, vulnerable to deportation and denial of protection.

Across the EU, Afghan refugees are encountering mounting legal and humanitarian challenges. In nations like Italy and Greece, limited infrastructure, overcrowded refugee centers, and prolonged processing times exacerbate the plight of asylum seekers, many of whom were once symbols of progress in Afghanistan.

The case of Nazira Khairzad symbolizes the broader crisis facing Afghan refugees in Europe today—where protection needs often collide with rigid immigration protocols. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly called on EU member states to prioritize humanitarian considerations over procedural technicalities in asylum cases.

The deportation threat against Nazira Khairzad highlights the urgent need for policy reforms that reflect the unique vulnerabilities of Afghan refugees. European governments must adopt a more compassionate and case-sensitive approach to ensure protection for those fleeing genuine danger.

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