The United States deported an Iranian pro-democracy activist to the Central African Republic (CAR), her lawyer confirmed on Friday. The deportation flight, departing from Louisiana, made a stop in Accra, Ghana, before landing in Bangui, the CAR capital. This action transfers the activist to a nation with which she has no ties.
Emily Trostle, the activist’s lawyer, described the transfer as “super dangerous.” The Iranian American Legal Defence Fund (IALDF) previously warned that three Iranian women, including one Christian convert, faced deportation. While only one activist was on the flight, other deportations remain possible. The deportees have no status or support networks in the CAR, raising fears they might be forcibly returned to Iran.
This event reflects a broader trend of deportations under agreements made during the Trump administration. Ghana and the Central African Republic, among other nations, signed deals to accept third-country deportees from the US. These deals allow the US to deport individuals it cannot legally send back to their home countries. For example, the US has used similar agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo, a neighbouring country to CAR.
Ali Rahnama, interim executive director at the IALDF, expressed concern over the chosen destination. He highlighted the significant security issues within the Central African Republic. Rahnama also pointed to the Russian military presence in CAR, noting Russia's close intelligence ties with Iran. This raises fears of the deported activist being repatriated to Iran, where she faces persecution.
The US Department of Homeland Security stated last week that all deportees would receive full due process. However, rights groups and legal advocates criticize these deals as opaque and lacking clear oversight. They say many deportees ultimately face repatriation to the countries they initially fled, despite securing legal protections in US courts. The IALDF had argued that denying asylum claims based on a transit country rule was problematic, a rule a federal court in California vacated in May.
The implications of this deportation are significant for international human rights and Ghana's role in such processes. The stopover in Accra positions Ghana indirectly within this complex deportation framework. Stakeholders will closely watch how the CAR handles the deportee and whether other individuals will follow under similar circumstances. The secretive nature of these agreements and their potential impact on vulnerable individuals remain major concerns for human rights organizations.