Amnesty International has issued a stern call to the authorities in Eswatini to provide immediate clarity on the whereabouts and legal conditions of five men recently deported from the United States. These demands came to light following the prolonged and uncharged detention of one of the deportees, Orville Etoria, who has since been repatriated to Jamaica.

While Etoria is now safe, concerns intensify for Roberto Mosquera Del Peral, Kassim Saleh Wasil, Dung Tien Nguyen, and Phone Chomsavanh, who remain under unclear circumstances. Reports from their legal representatives have highlighted significant delays in court proceedings and restricted access to private legal consultations, prompting Amnesty International to advocate for their rights to confidential legal support and fair treatment under international law.

The organization has referenced the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, emphasizing that the expulsion of non-citizens should be conducted lawfully, with proper notice, representation, and a fair hearing as stipulated in Articles 13 and 14 of the covenant, which also guarantees the right to a fair trial and access to legal counsel.

Tigere Chagutah, the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Amnesty International, expressed his concerns: "The safe arrival of Mr. Etoria to Jamaica cannot be an excuse for silence about what happened to him while he was held without charge and without full and confidential access to lawyers. Eswatini authorities must account for the legal basis of his detention, ensure access to justice and effective remedies, and immediately clarify the status and whereabouts of the four other men transferred in July."

This plea for transparency and justice follows recent actions by Eswatini authorities that have drawn international criticism, including the designation of local MPs as 'prisoners of conscience' amid a growing suppression of dissent within the nation. In July, Amnesty also called on Eswatini to ensure justice for opposition MP Bacede Mabuza, further highlighting the ongoing human rights challenges in the country.

As the global community watches, the situation underscores the ongoing debate over the treatment of deportees and the responsibilities of nations under international human rights laws.