MBABANE – A coalition of women’s rights organizations in Eswatini today delivered a petition to the United States Embassy, demanding the immediate reassessment of its administration deportation policy.
Among four key demands, the women also called for the urgent recall of “the deported criminals which were sent without proper consultation with citizens,” a coordinated dialogue and stopping the “forcing” of migrants into the country.
The petition the circumstances under which five individuals were deported to the Kingdom were concerning.
The petition, submitted under the banner of several women-led movements and civil society groups, calls for clarity and accountability from both the United States and Eswatini governments over the legal status and treatment of the deported individuals.
Key concerns outlined in the petition include whether the individuals were informed of their removal to Eswatini and whether they were granted access to consular support from their home countries, an important right in any cross-border detention or deportation process.
The petitioners also questioned who within the Eswatini government authorised the acceptance of the individuals and under what legal framework this was carried out. They called on authorities to confirm whether valid detention warrants or certificates of detention, as required by Eswatini’s Immigration Act, were issued.
If there is no such legal basis, the petition asks, under what authority are they currently being held? The statement warns that any alternative justification for their continued detention may violate the Correctional Services Act No. 13 of 2017 and pose a threat to Eswatini’s rule of law.
Additionally, the petition raises financial and long-term concerns, asking how much the Government of Eswatini has received to support the stay of the deportees and what plans are in place once their sentences or detentions conclude.
The campaign, using the hashtag RiseForFreedom, is being championed by a broad network of women’s rights and gender justice organisations including Liphimbo LaboMake, Swaziland Rural Women’s Assembly, Sicandvulo Sabomake, Gcama Mfati Women’s Network, Queer Women’s Network LBQRS, Progressive Women Alliance of Swaziland, One Billion Rising Eswatini and Journey of Hope for Women and Girls Eswatini.
The groups have called for a full and transparent investigation, urging both governments to uphold human rights obligations and ensure that international legal standards are respected.
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