Human Rights Monitors (HRM), a coalition of civil society organizations have called on the United Nations agencies, civil society, refugees-focused organizations, and experts to provide the support and expertise for the improvement of the situation of human rights connected to the arbitrary deportations of immigrants from the United States.
The coalition comprised of Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation, 21st Century Empowerment for Youth and Women, the Centre for Environmental Sustainability & Development Awareness (CESDA), Socio-Economic Research & Development Centre and the Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CESPAD).
The convener of the coalition, Armsfree Ajanaku, while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, said Human Rights Monitors has been observing the various human rights violations connected to the arbitrary deportations of immigrants from the United States.
He said since January 20, 2025, the United States has ramped up mass deportations as it cracks down on immigration. In many cases, these sweeping deportations violate the fundamental human rights of immigrants, many of whom are Africans and peoples of African descent.
“While we are not saying that a country cannot run its affairs as it deems necessary, our concern is about actions, which undermine rights, dignity and civilised norms.
“In the context of the immigration crackdown, we have seen shocking scenes in which the homes of immigrants are raided, and their mass arrests effected. We have seen families being torn apart as parents are forcefully removed and placed in detention facilities.
“We have seen people fleeing war zones and political persecution being harassed for seeking refuge. These actions, from a country which prides itself as the bastion of democracy and human rights, violate the rights of asylum-seekers and migrants, while denying them the opportunity to ask for safety, and security.
“The human rights violations can equally be seen in situations where children watch their parents being taken away from their homes in handcuffs. Apart from the mental trauma such children are likely to suffer, they see their parents caught up in a discriminatory system that prolongs their suffering and treats them with no bit of empathy.
“This cruel treatment subverts international human rights instruments, which explicitly uphold the universal notion that the ‘family’ is the fundamental unit of society.
Importantly, under the 2030 Agenda, the international community, remains resolute about achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions economic, social and environmental in a balanced and integrated manner.
“However, in calling for accountability and respect for human dignity, we make no mistake about the fact that African governments also have a big role to play. In the face of the challenges being faced by Nigerians and other Africans in the Diaspora, our governments must put in place effective systems to help.
“Apart from the fact that Africa is the continent of origin of many of the immigrants being currently harassed, African governments have benefited hugely from Diaspora remittances.
“Importantly, in the face of the nationalism, isolationism and the disregard for international norms, African leaders should ensure inclusive and effective governance to make life better for their people,” he said.