Eswatini activists on Thursday urged the High Court to declare unconstitutional the kingdom’s acceptance of five foreign nationals deported from the United States. The men, from Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, Cuba, and Jamaica, were flown to the southern African nation by a US military plane in July.
The deportations form part of Washington’s controversial programme of sending migrants convicted of serious crimes to third countries. Three legal and civil society groups filed an urgent application, arguing the deal lacked transparency and bypassed public or parliamentary consultation.
They demanded the Eswatini government disclose the full terms of its agreement with the United States immediately. “The circumstances under which this agreement has been concluded raise serious concerns about executive overreach, human rights, and national security,” the statement read.
The deportees, described by the US as “barbaric” criminals, are held in solitary confinement within a maximum-security prison exceeding 171 percent capacity. Neighbouring South Africa protested last week, citing concerns about the convicts’ profiles and potential adverse effects on its national security.
Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, faces growing domestic and regional scrutiny over its decision, highlighting tensions between diplomatic deals and public accountability. The case underscores broader debates on international deportation practices and the human rights obligations of receiving countries in sensitive security contexts.
