Human rights coalition urges UN action on US mass migrants deportations

By Abubakar Yunusa

A coalition of civil society organisations, Human Rights Monitors, has called for United Nations intervention to address what it describes as widespread human rights violations stemming from mass deportations of migrants by the United States.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, coalition convener Armsfree Ajanaku highlighted the plight of African migrants and people of African descent, who he said have been disproportionately affected by arbitrary deportations since 20 January. The event, themed “Violation of Immigrants’ Rights and the Quest for Justice Through African Reparations,” underscored the coalition’s concerns over actions that “undermine rights, dignity, and civilised norms.”

Ajanaku described distressing scenes of migrant homes being raided, mass arrests, and families torn apart, with parents detained and children left traumatised. “These actions, from a country that prides itself on democracy and human rights, clearly violate the rights of asylum seekers and migrants,” he said.

The coalition alleges that the US is denying refuge to individuals fleeing war zones and political persecution, actions it claims breach multiple international agreements, including Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects against arbitrary arrest and exile, and Article 14, which upholds the right to seek asylum. Further violations cited include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families, and the 1951 Refugee Convention.

“Refugees and immigrants seeking asylum are lawful under both US and international law. Under no circumstance should they be criminalised for entering without visas,” Ajanaku said.

The concerns were raised at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland in April, with the coalition urging the UN to pursue legal measures to protect migrants facing forced deportation. It also called for engagement with affected communities through civil society groups and refugee-focused agencies.

Ajanaku appealed to African leaders to bolster institutions and infrastructure to improve citizens’ welfare and safety, both domestically and abroad. He argued that stronger systems could reduce migration by fostering good governance and removing barriers to progress.

The coalition’s appeal comes amid growing global scrutiny of migrant treatment, with the US facing criticism for policies that human rights advocates say prioritise enforcement over humanitarian obligations.