The Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) is seriously concerned by the large-scale expulsions of 299 third-country nationals by the United States to Panama between February 12 and 15, 2025. Such practices, characterized by inhumane detention conditions, withholding of due process, and interference with the right to claim asylum, are a grave violation of international law and human rights commitments.
As per the 40-page report of Human Rights Watch, “‘ Nobody Cared, Nobody Listened:’ The US Expulsion of Third-Country Nationals to Panama,” expelled individuals were men, women, and children who were escaping persecution on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political opinion, and family relations. When entering the US from Mexico, they attempted to request asylum but were not given the chance to state their cases. Rather, they were handcuffed, held in cold, remote confinement without having access to their lawyers or relatives, and forcibly removed to Panama without warning.
Panama, an accomplice to this abuse, held these people incommunicado, taking away their phones, refusing visitors, and restricting contact with the outside world. While many have recently been given temporary “humanitarian permits,” their futures are still in doubt, and many are threatened with forced returns to the countries where they fear significant harm.
Demands & what should belligerent do:
The Washington Center for Human Rights urges the United States to stop immediately the practice of expelling or transferring noncitizens to third countries without complete and equitable asylum procedures. The wrongfully expelled should be permitted to return and have their asylum claims heard, consistent with the U.S.’s international law obligations and the principle of nonrefoulement.
Panama should put an end to its tolerance of illegally expelled individuals unless transfers are regulated by arrangements that ensure due process and protection. Panama must also provide immediate, equitable access to full asylum processes to everyone in its territory and not return anyone to danger against their will.
The Washington Center for Human Rights calls upon the international community to hold accountable the United States and Panama for these abuses and demands immediate action to reinstate the right to asylum and maintain human dignity.