West African deportees sue Ghana over U.S. third-country expulsions

Lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Ghana at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, accusing the country of violating domestic and regional law by facilitating deportations to unsafe nations.

“

No person should be returned to a place where they face persecution, torture or serious threats to their dignity and safety.

The legal action, brought on behalf of deportees sent to Ghana under the United States' "third-country" expulsion policies, alleges that Ghana is enabling removals to countries where individuals face persecution or threats to their safety.

At least 60 people have been deported to Ghana since September as part of a U.S. immigration crackdown. The lawsuit represents 27 of these individuals, who had reportedly obtained asylum or other legal protections in the United States. According to the legal team, many of these deportees are now in hiding or have fled to other countries, living in limbo.

“

facilitating removals to unsafe countries

Ghana has remained largely silent on the specifics of its agreement with the U.S. regarding these deportations, beyond stating it would only accept West Africans. However, shortly after the policy's implementation, the U.S. reversed visa restrictions previously placed on Ghana.

“

had sought, and the majority had obtained asylum or other legal protections in the United States

This legal challenge follows a similar suit filed earlier in June at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which sought to halt U.S. deportations to Equatorial Guinea, another country used as a transit point for African deportees.

“

Many now remain in hiding in their home countries or have fled to third countries where they wait in limbo.