Press Release
Published on September 4, 2025
On September 3, 2025, the Global Strategic Litigation Council (Council) and Human Rights First, together with more than 100 allied human rights organizations and individual experts, submitted a joint letter to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The letter urges the ACHPR to intervene by issuing a formal resolution in response to the United States of America’s unlawful transfer of migrants and asylum seekers to third countries in Africa. This was done under secretive bilateral agreements and without regard for any claims they may have to protection under refugee and human rights treaties. At least 20 migrants have already been transferred to South Sudan, Eswatini and Rwanda, and Uganda has recently signed an agreement with the United States to begin accepting more migrants expelled from the U.S. imminently.
Bella Mosselmans, Director of the Council said:
“These illegal transfers violate international and African human rights law and expose forcibly expelled migrants to arbitrary detention and serious abuses of human rights. The United States cannot outsource its obligations under international law, and African governments should resist complicity in these unlawful practices.”
As more agreements are reportedly being negotiated, the Council welcomes the latest press release from the ACHPR strongly calling for transparency of any agreements made with the United States and humane migration policies based in dignity, solidarity and justice.
The Council and its partners are now calling on the Commission to issue a resolution that firmly protects and upholds the rights of migrants and asylum seekers subject to U.S. agreements with African countries, and urges African Union member states not to enter into similar, new agreements that facilitate the unlawful expulsion of refugees and migrants from the United States of America.
Anwen Hughes, Senior Director of Legal Strategy, Refugee Programs at Human Rights First said:
“The Commission’s recent statement is a vital step, but we urge them to go further at this critical moment. With potentially hundreds more migrants expected to be transferred to the region under unlawful U.S. agreements, it is more important than ever for civil society, human rights authorities and states around the world to make clear that adherence to human rights law and due process is a legal imperative and essential to the rule of law globally. Human rights must not fall victim to threats, pressure and deal-making.”
