The UDI and UNE will not enforce any returns for individuals to Afghanistan due to the escalation of conflict between the Taliban and Afghan authorities, which the UDI said in a statement has led to a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation. 

The withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan has led to intense fighting between the Taliban and government forces in the country. 

The deportations will be suspended until September 15th, 2021. 

This means those who have received a final decision on asylum claims or residence applications and have been told they will need to return to Afghanistan will not be obliged to do so until the suspension is lifted. 

The rules will apply to anyone who

• Has had their application for asylum rejected
• The decision has been made to deport them from Norway
• Had had their residence permit revoked
• Is living in Norway but have had their application for a residence permit rejected

The decision to postpone the deportations has been pushed back until September 15th because all foreign military and peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan will withdraw from the country by the end of August. 

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This will give the UDI and UNE time to reassess the situation and whether the suspension should be extended further or lifted, the agencies said. 

People whose cases are covered by the Dublin III convention or the First Asylum Rule will not be covered by the suspension. This means they will be returned to the first European country in which they sought protection. 

The UNE said it did not have figures for the total number of Afghan citizens who are due to be returned to Afghanistan. 

The Police Immigration Unit has said it is aware of the new rules so that no people who fall under the suspension will be forcibly returned to the country.