Human rights lawyers and activists have taken legal action against the government of Eswatini for entering into an arrangement with President Donald Trump’s administration to accept third-country deportees from the United States, which they argue was unconstitutional.
The case was scheduled to be heard at the High Court of Eswatini on Friday, but was postponed until 25 September because the government reportedly failed to submit response papers.
In July, the United States deported five individuals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen to the southern African nation. All were convicted criminals, and Eswatini says it is holding them in solitary confinement until they can be repatriated.
The applicants in the case, led by the Eswatini Litigation Centre, argue that the agreement made with the United States was unlawful because it was not presented to parliament for approval and the terms were not disclosed.
They also state that they are unaware of the condition of the deportees, as no one has been permitted access to them.
“We want the executive to be held accountable, we want transparency dealing with matters of state importance, (and) respect for the rights of all individuals who are in Eswatini regardless of who they may be,” said lead applicant and lawyer Mzwandile Masuku.
Eswatini, an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III, has previously stated that the deportees pose no threat and that the agreement was based solely on its good relations with Washington.
Trump aims to deport millions of immigrants who entered the United States illegally, and his administration has sought to increase removals of third-country nationals.