Men deported from US bound and beaten in Equatorial Guinea detention hotel, lawyers say
Group trapped at Hotel Bamy after US removal as rights groups sound alarm over poor conditions and violence
TL;DR
- Two deportees from the US to Equatorial Guinea were beaten and tortured after speaking to the press about detention conditions.
- The men, Ahmed Soliman (Egypt) and Samson Birhane (Eritrea), were allegedly beaten by police searching for a phone and retaliation for sharing information.
- Around 30 other US deportees are trapped at the Hotel Bamy, reporting dangerous conditions, lack of medical care, and constant surveillance.
- Human rights advocates have warned of abuses in Equatorial Guinea, a country known for human rights violations, where the US has sent deportees under cooperation deals.
- The Trump administration has pursued deals with third countries to deport immigrants who might face torture in their home countries, trapping them in countries where they have no ties.
- Lawyers alerted the US embassy to threats and violence against deportees but received no response.
- ICE stated it is not responsible for individuals once they are no longer in ICE custody and that deportees were sent to a 'safe third country'.