SIERRA LEONE: RISK OF REPATRIATION FOR THREE U.S. DEPORTEES

Dear Minister,

I am concerned about the situation of Abalo Agba, Alfred Kamara, Fatou Traore, and other people removed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Sierra Leone on October 12, and the risk that they may be unlawfully returned to their countries of origin.

Abalo Agba (from Togo), Alfred Kamara (from Liberia), and Fatou Traore (from Cote d’Ivoire) had each been living in the U.S. for more than 20 years when they were removed, and they all have children under 18 years of age still living there. U.S. immigration judges had granted all of them protection from repatriation because of the very high risks of serious human rights violations they face in their countries of origin. Yet, the authorities of Sierra Leone are threatening them with immediate repatriation and are not allowing them to seek asylum or other forms of protection in the country.

Forcibly returning people to a place where they would be at real risk of serious human rights violations is a violation of the international law obligation of non-refoulement. The obligation of non-refoulement requires states to determine the risks each individual may face upon return and suspend any return until judicial proceedings reach a final decision about these risks.

I urge you to ensure that Abalo Agba, Alfred Kamara, Fatou Traore, and any other individual removed from the U.S. to Sierra Leone on the October 12 flight are protected from unlawful repatriation, have access to effective asylum procedures and independent legal counsel, and can enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]