Austria keeps hard line on deporting Afghans

Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer speaks at a news conference on Austria's role in a global sting against organised crime dubbed 'Operation Trojan Shield' in Vienna, Austria June 9, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

ZURICH (Reuters) - Austria stuck on Saturday to its hard line on sending home Afghans whose requests for asylum fail even as Taliban insurgent advances prompted other European Union countries to reconsider similar stances.

"It is easy to call for a general ban on deportations to Afghanistan, while on the other hand negating the expected flight movements. Those who need protection must receive it as close as possible to their country of origin," Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told the APA news agency.