Human Rights Watch Reports Abuses in U.S. Deportations to African Countries

Human Rights Watch released an investigation on October 8 alleging abuses against people deported by U.S. authorities to African countries other than their own. The group said more than 500 people were denied a meaningful opportunity to challenge removal or explain fears about the receiving country. Researchers interviewed 24 transferred people in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini and South Sudan. Interviewees described prolonged shackling during flights and little information about their destination; the report also documented detention and onward returns that exposed some people to danger. HRW urged African governments to suspend or terminate transfer agreements.