UN experts warn of rising rights violations
A panel of independent United Nations experts warned that the administration of US President Donald Trump is fueling a “cascade of human rights violations” through its policy of deporting individuals to third countries with which they possess no personal links.
According to the experts, the practice heightens the risk of severe abuses including torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, slavery, and trafficking. More than 20 independent UN experts—including special rapporteurs focused on migrant rights and counter-terrorism protections—cautioned that these arrangements breach the customary law principle of non-refoulement.
Scale of third-country deportations
Since Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025, Washington has engaged in agreements with developing nations to receive migrants and refugees who cannot be legally returned to their home countries. The UN panel noted that the United States has signed such deals with more than 35 nations, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and South Sudan.
While official figures pointed to at least 23,000 third-country nationals removed under the policy, a separate investigation published by an international journalism consortium comprising Forbidden Stories and FRANCE 24 reporters calculated that more than 25,000 individuals had been deported by the end of August 2026.
Vulnerable populations and state responsibility
The panel emphasized that those affected encompass asylum seekers and migrants at various stages of the immigration process, placing children, women, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, and human rights defenders at grave risk.
Furthermore, the experts highlighted that many receiving countries lack adequate asylum processing infrastructure, protective holding facilities, medical services, or sustainable reintegration options, with several territories actively engulfed in conflict and displacement.
The experts stated they notified the United States and all participating governments, urging them to halt the arrangements immediately. They additionally cautioned that states knowingly assisting in conduct violating non-refoulement or other human rights obligations may incur international responsibility and complicity in resulting violations.
