Eswatini Confirms Arrival of 10 More People as Part of US Deportation Deal
The government of Eswatini confirmed on Monday that ten more people had arrived in the African kingdom as part of a deportation deal with the United States. This marks the second group of third-country nationals to be sent to Eswatini by the Trump administration, sparking concerns from human rights organizations and lawyers about potential violations.
According to an official statement posted on social media before their arrival, the individuals will be kept in a secured area separate from the public while arrangements are made for their return to their countries of origin. The government stated that it would work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the returns.
"We understand that this is a sensitive issue, and we want to assure the public that we are working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth process," said Themba Khaya Mhlanga, spokesperson for the Eswatini government. "We will provide updates as necessary."
The arrival of these deportees has raised concerns among human rights organizations and lawyers who argue that sending third-country nationals to Eswatini may be a violation of their human rights. "This is a worrying trend," said Sibusiso Dlamini, a lawyer with the Swaziland Human Rights Documentation Centre. "Eswatini's immigration laws are not clear on how to handle deportees, and there are concerns about their safety and well-being."
The first group of five men was deported from the US last month and is currently being held at the Matsapha correctional complex in Eswatini. According to sources, these individuals were originally from Somalia, but their reasons for deportation and the circumstances surrounding their arrival remain unclear.
Eswatini's immigration laws have been criticized by human rights organizations for being opaque and lacking clear guidelines on how to handle deportees. The country has also faced criticism for its treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that it is working with Eswatini to facilitate the return of these individuals, but details about their reasons for deportation and the circumstances surrounding their arrival remain unclear.
As the situation unfolds, human rights organizations and lawyers are calling on the government of Eswatini to provide clear guidelines on how to handle deportees and ensure their safety and well-being. "We urge the government to prioritize transparency and accountability in this process," said Dlamini.
The current status of these individuals remains unclear, but it is expected that they will be held at the Matsapha correctional complex until arrangements are made for their return to their countries of origin. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Eswatini's government will address the concerns raised by human rights organizations and lawyers.
Background:
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has a population of approximately 1.3 million people and is one of the smallest countries in Africa. The country has a complex immigration system, with laws that are often criticized for being opaque and lacking clear guidelines on how to handle deportees.
Additional Perspectives:
"This is a worrying trend, and we urge the government to prioritize transparency and accountability in this process," said Sibusiso Dlamini, a lawyer with the Swaziland Human Rights Documentation Centre.
"We understand that this is a sensitive issue, and we want to assure the public that we are working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth process," said Themba Khaya Mhlanga, spokesperson for the Eswatini government.
Next Developments:
The situation remains unclear, but it is expected that the government of Eswatini will provide updates as necessary. Human rights organizations and lawyers are calling on the government to prioritize transparency and accountability in this process.
*Reporting by Theguardian.*
