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Human Rights Watch has revealed that Cameroonian authorities are arbitrarily detaining dozens of migrants deported from the United States. Among those deported are asylum seekers and individuals at risk of persecution in their home countries. The organization condemned these actions as a serious violation of international law, noting that Cameroon is not a safe country for deportees.
Africa-Press. Human Rights Watch has revealed that Cameroonian authorities are arbitrarily detaining dozens of migrants deported from the United States during the past two months. Among those deported are asylum seekers and individuals at risk of persecution in their home countries.
The international human rights organization described this step as a blatant violation of international law, as the deportations occurred under a secret agreement between Washington and Yaoundé, despite Cameroon not being a safe country for deportees.
The organization reported that Cameroonian authorities arrested 17 individuals from nine African countries upon their arrival in the capital, Yaoundé, without legal grounds. Some of the deportees had legal protections in the United States preventing their return to their home countries due to fears of torture or persecution. The organization added that two of them were forced to return to their countries, while 15 remain detained to this day.
Documented Risks and Violations
Cameroon has witnessed armed conflicts and widespread violations for years, including torture in prisons and repression of opposition and media. The organization documented that journalists attempting to cover the situation of the deportees faced arrest and violations themselves. It considered the actions taken as forced returns, a practice prohibited under international law.
The organization also called for the immediate release of the detainees and for their protection from forced return, urging their repatriation to the United States, where court decisions have granted them protection. It also demanded respect for press freedom and accountability for those responsible for the violations, urging Congress and U.S. courts to end deportation agreements to third countries, which have proven to be failures and caused serious violations.
Cameroon has faced significant challenges in recent years, including armed conflicts and widespread human rights violations. The country has been criticized for its treatment of political dissenters and journalists, particularly those covering sensitive issues such as migration and deportation. The ongoing instability has raised concerns about the safety and rights of individuals returned to Cameroon, especially those fleeing persecution.
