US Deportation Lawsuits Target Citizens of Equatorial Guinea

A Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Equatorial Guinea at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

A coalition of lawyers from around the world has filed a lawsuit against Equatorial Guinea at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The complaint, which was submitted on Friday, targets a “third-country” agreement between Equatorial Guinea and the US administration under President Donald Trump.

The agreement allows for the deportation of individuals to Equatorial Guinea who cannot be safely sent back to their home countries. This practice has been criticized by human rights groups due to concerns about the treatment of deportees in Equatorial Guinea, which has a poor human rights record.

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 14 individuals who have been or are currently being held in Equatorial Guinea under conditions described as “arbitrary and indefinite detention”. Six of these individuals were forcibly repatriated from Equatorial Guinea within the last week, despite expressing fear of persecution or torture. Three others had been sent back to Equatorial Guinea after their home countries refused to accept them.

The coalition of lawyers is seeking provisional measures from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including a suspension of further deportations and guarantees that deportees have access to lawyers. The case can be heard by the commission or referred to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is based in Tanzania.

According to reports, around 32 people have been deported to Equatorial Guinea since last year. The US State Department has reported “credible evidence” of human rights abuses in Equatorial Guinea, including torture and cruel treatment.

Source: Al Jazeera