Human Rights Defenders Network Sierra Leone (HRDN-SL) has raised alarm over Sierra Leone’s deportee agreement with the United States, warning of detention risks, legal uncertainty, and possible statelessness.
The concerns follow the arrival of the first group of deportees on 20 May 2026 under the new arrangement.
According to public statements by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, the agreement allows deportees from across West Africa to remain in Sierra Leone for up to 90 days before onward transfer to their countries of origin. The arrangement is supported by a US$1.5 million grant from the United States to cover humanitarian and operational costs.
HRDN-SL further noted that Sierra Leone has reportedly agreed to receive up to 300 deportees annually under the policy.
The organisation said the agreement raises serious concerns under international human rights law, refugee law, and African regional human rights standards, particularly given the lack of publicly available information on the full terms of the deal.
According to HRDN-SL, key issues remain unclear, including the legal status of deportees while in Sierra Leone and the protections available to them.
The Network warned that without clear safeguards, deportees could face risks such as arbitrary detention, family separation, and inhuman treatment, especially in the absence of independent oversight.
It also highlighted concerns around the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the transfer of individuals to countries where they may face persecution, torture, or other serious harm.
The organisation further raised the risk of statelessness, noting that some deportees may be unable to return to their countries of origin due to fear of persecution or challenges in securing re-entry.
HRDN-SL emphasized that as a member of ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, Sierra Leone has an obligation to uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals within its territory, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
The organisation is now calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to publish the full terms of the agreement, clarify the legal status and rights of deportees, and ensure that no individual is subjected to arbitrary detention or returned to situations of harm.
HRDN-SL also urged authorities to guarantee access to legal assistance, healthcare, psychosocial support, and independent human rights monitoring, while ensuring that no deportee is rendered stateless under the policy.