"US Sends $7.5M to Equatorial Guinea to Take Deportees"

US Sends $7.5M to Equatorial Guinea Amid Human Rights Concerns The United States has allocated $7.5 million to Equatorial Guinea to accept non-citizen deportees, sparking concerns over potential human rights abuses given the country's reputation as one of the world's most repressive and corrupt regimes. This move marks the first time funds from a congressional refugee crisis fund have been redirected to expedite deportations, rather than addressing international refugee crises or facilitating US refugee resettlement. According to current and former state department officials, as well as public government data, the money was sent to Equatorial Guinea, a country led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been accused of embezzlement and human rights abuses. The funds were taken from a $150 million fund apportioned by Congress to address refugee crises worldwide. Critics argue that the funds will likely benefit the regime of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, rather than the deportees themselves. "This is a clear example of the US prioritizing its deportation agenda over the well-being and safety of individuals," said a leading congressional Democrat, who wished to remain anonymous. "By sending millions of dollars to a regime notorious for human rights abuses, the US is essentially complicit in these abuses." Equatorial Guinea has a long history of human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The country's reputation has been marred by corruption and authoritarian rule, with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo maintaining power for over four decades. The US decision to redirect funds from the refugee crisis fund to Equatorial Guinea has raised concerns among human rights groups and experts. "This move is a betrayal of the US commitment to protecting human rights and promoting refugee resettlement," said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Watch. "By prioritizing deportations over refugee protection, the US is undermining its own values and principles." The US Department of State has yet to comment on the matter, but sources close to the department have confirmed that the funds were sent to Equatorial Guinea in August 2023. The exact number of deportees expected to be sent to the country remains unclear, but experts warn that the move could have far-reaching consequences for those affected. As the situation unfolds, human rights groups and experts are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the US government. "We urge the US to reconsider its decision and prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals over its deportation agenda," said the Human Rights Watch spokesperson. "The US has a responsibility to uphold its human rights obligations and protect those who are most vulnerable."