Human rights lawyers and witnesses say two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea were bound, hooded and beaten before being taken to prison, as roughly 30 US deportees remain trapped at a hotel near Malabo.
Key facts
- Two men, one from Egypt and one from Eritrea, were allegedly bound, hooded, beaten and pushed down stairs, according to witnesses and lawyers.
- The men were later taken to a prison.
- About 30 US deportees remain trapped at a hotel on the outskirts of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
- Detainees believe the men were targeted for speaking to press and human rights advocates about conditions.
- Rights groups have raised alarm over poor conditions and violence at the hotel.
Two men whom the Trump administration expelled to Equatorial Guinea were bound, fitted with bags over their heads, beaten and pushed down a flight of stairs, all in plain view of other US deportees, according to witnesses and human rights lawyers cited by the Guardian.
The two men — one from Egypt and one from Eritrea — were subsequently taken to a prison, the Guardian reported. Their treatment was allegedly carried out in front of other people who had been deported from the United States.
About 30 detainees deported from the US remain trapped at a hotel on the outskirts of the coastal city of Malabo, according to the report. The group has been held there following their removal from the United States.
Detainees have said they believe the two men were beaten for telling the press and human rights advocates about the poor conditions and violence inside the hotel, according to the Guardian. Those remaining say they are haunted by flashbacks and are terrified they will face retaliation next.
Human rights groups have sounded the alarm over the conditions at the facility, the outlet reported, pointing to both the poor state of the accommodation and the violence described by witnesses.
The account describes the men being held at Hotel Bamy after their US removal, with rights advocates warning about the treatment of the deportees held there.
Why it matters
The allegations raise serious questions about the treatment of people deported by the US to third countries and the conditions they face after removal. Reports of violence against detainees who spoke to journalists and advocates also highlight concerns about retaliation and oversight of such transfers.
Frequently asked questions
What allegedly happened to the deported men in Equatorial Guinea?
According to witnesses and human rights lawyers cited by the Guardian, two men were bound, had bags placed over their heads, were beaten and pushed down a flight of stairs, then taken to a prison.
How many US deportees are being held at the hotel?
About 30 detainees deported from the US remain trapped at a hotel on the outskirts of Malabo, according to the report.
Why do detainees believe the men were beaten?
Detainees have said they believe the men were targeted for telling the press and human rights advocates about the poor conditions and violence inside the hotel.