Desitdown News (Panama releases 65 detained migrants from US amid criticism)

Описание: Panama Releases 65 Migrants Deported by US Amid Rising Human Rights Concerns

Panama has released 65 migrants who had been held for weeks in a remote camp in the Darien, a perilous jungle region near the Colombian border, after being deported from the United States. Authorities announced on Saturday that the migrants would have at least 30 days to leave the country. They also have the option to extend their stay for up to 90 days, allowing them to begin the legal process for resettlement or voluntary return to their home countries.

The group, detained in mid-February following their deportation from the US, includes individuals fleeing violence and persecution from countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nepal. Rights groups have criticized Panama’s decision, accusing the government of washing its hands of responsibility as it faces mounting human rights pressure.

Under an agreement with the US, Panama has been taking in deported migrants, assuming responsibility for their repatriation or resettlement. This deal has been condemned by immigration advocates, who argue that it allows the US to offload its deportation process, bypassing responsibility for the migrants it expels.

Some of the migrants, detained in Panama City, have expressed fear of returning to their home countries. In a public plea for help, some detainees held up notes to their hotel windows, stating their concerns for their safety if sent back.

Human rights groups argue that under international refugee law, migrants fleeing conflict or persecution have the right to seek asylum and cannot be forcibly returned. However, many of those detained in Darien were not allowed to file asylum claims and were held under poor conditions, with their phones confiscated and access to legal counsel denied.

Among the released was Nikita Gaponov, a 27-year-old who fled Russia due to repression against the LGBTQ+ community. He was detained at the US border but was not permitted to make an asylum claim. Hayatullah Omagh, 29, fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power in 2022. He voiced his fear of returning to Afghanistan, stating, "I can't go back under any circumstances... it is under the control of the Taliban, and they want to kill me."

While Panamanian authorities have denied accusations of mistreatment, they have blocked journalists from accessing the camp and canceled a planned press visit last week, further raising concerns over the treatment of the migrants.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by displaced individuals seeking refuge and the complex legal and humanitarian issues surrounding their deportation and resettlement.

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