Eswatini has received a second group of 10 individuals deported from the United States, proceeding with the plan despite a legal challenge from local rights organizations. This action follows a previous deportation of five individuals, whom the US government had characterized as “deprived monsters.” The Eswatini prison department has stated that the latest deportees are being held securely and pose no threat to the public, with arrangements being made for their eventual return to their home countries.
The government of Eswatini had initially announced its intention to accept 11 deportees as part of an agreement with the US. The precise reasons for the arrival of only 10 individuals remain unclear, and their identities have not been publicly disclosed. This development comes just prior to a scheduled court hearing in Mbabane, where civil society groups are contesting the deportations. They argue that the government’s decision constitutes an “executive over-reach” and bypasses the need for parliamentary consent, as stipulated by Eswatini’s constitution. Activists have voiced concerns that the secretive nature of the deal signifies democratic regression, particularly given the country’s history of absolute monarchy and its constitutional reforms aimed at increasing parliamentary power.
A spokesperson for the Eswatini government mentioned that the deportees would be housed in a “secured area separate from the public.” The deportations have also raised concerns in neighboring South Africa, which fears potential border crossings due to porous borders.
This situation highlights ongoing international discussions regarding the legality and ethical implications of deporting foreign nationals, particularly those with criminal records, to African nations. The case also brings to the forefront Eswatini’s evolving democratic landscape and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
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