UN Experts Warn of Human Rights Risks in US Third-Country Deportations

Bareen Media – More than a dozen UN human rights experts have urged the U.S. government to halt the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers to third countries, warning that the policy could expose them to torture, persecution and other human rights abuses.

The experts said at least 23,000 third-country nationals have already been sent to 29 countries and territories under the policy. Many had previously received protection from U.S. courts because returning them to their home countries could expose them to abuse.

Children, women, people with disabilities, trafficking victims, LGBTQ people, human rights defenders and stateless persons were identified as groups facing particularly serious risks. The experts described the policy as contributing to what they called a “cascade of human rights violations.”

The warning comes as the Trump administration expands agreements with countries, including several in Africa, to accept people whom the United States says it cannot legally return directly to their countries of origin. Rights groups have raised concerns about conditions facing some deportees in countries such as Equatorial Guinea.

The U.S. government has defended the arrangements as lawful and says it carries out deportations under American immigration law. The administration has also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the policy to continue after lower courts ruled against aspects of the programme.

The UN experts also sent their communication to the governments of 35 countries and territories that they said have agreements with Washington to receive deported migrants.