US Deports West Africans to Ghana Under Alarming Conditions, Lawyer Alleges Rights Violations

West Africans Deported by US Were Denied Their Rights, Lawyer Claims Eleven West African men deported to Ghana by the United States were denied their rights, according to a lawyer who represents them. The men had been held in dire conditions in a military camp after being sent back from the US. Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the lawyer for the 11 men, said they were returned to Ghana despite fears of torture, persecution, or inhumane treatment. "They were sent on from the US without any regard for their safety," he claimed. The deportations are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase expulsions, with migrants being sent to third countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, and El Salvador. Critics have accused the US of violating the rights of deportees in these countries. Ghana's President John Mahama had announced last week that his country would accept 14 West African nationals deported by the US and was prepared to take in 40 more. However, officials initially stated all 14 were sent on to their home countries, but lawyers for the 11 men said they were then held in a military camp. The 11 men filed a legal case seeking release from the camp. Barker-Vormawor told a hearing that his clients had been subjected to "inhumane conditions" and were being denied access to justice. Background on the issue shows that the US has been increasing deportations under Trump's leadership, with many critics arguing that this policy is inhumane and violates international law. The US government has maintained that it is following due process in its deportation procedures. Additional perspectives on the matter come from human rights groups, who argue that sending migrants to third countries can put them at risk of persecution or torture. "The US should not be deporting people to countries where they may face harm," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. Currently, the case is ongoing, with Barker-Vormawor seeking release for his clients and an investigation into their treatment. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for future deportation policies in the US. In related news, Ghana's President Mahama has defended his country's decision to accept deportees from the US, stating that it is a matter of national sovereignty. However, critics argue that accepting deportees can put pressure on local resources and infrastructure. The controversy surrounding the deportations highlights the complexities of immigration policy in the US and the need for careful consideration of human rights implications. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this issue will impact future deportation policies in the country. *Reporting by Theguardian.*