Police in Equatorial Guinea allegedly pointed firearms at migrants deported from the United States during a confrontation at a hotel in Malabo, raising concerns over their safety. Three witnesses and video footage reviewed by Reuters said the incident began on September 5 after a dispute over access to mobile phones.
Police officers allegedly pointed semi-automatic rifles at deportees, while one migrant was forced to kneel. One deportee told Reuters that officers assaulted him and pointed guns at him after he filmed the confrontation. The situation ended after the hotel director intervened. About 31 deportees are currently being held at the hotel.
Rights groups have raised concerns over the US third-country deportation programme, including inadequate medical care and lack of legal assistance. The Equatorial Guinean government did not respond to requests for comment, while the US defended the deportations as lawful.
The Nigerian stake is clear. Nigeria is also a source of deportees from the US, and the treatment of migrants in third countries is a concern for Nigerian authorities. The incident highlights the risks faced by deportees who are sent to countries that are not their own.
The winners: none. The losers: the deportees, who face mistreatment and uncertainty; and the US, which faces criticism over its deportation programme.
Bottom Line: Police in Equatorial Guinea allegedly pointed guns at deportees. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of migrants. The question is whether the international community will act or the deportees will remain in limbo.