The United States (US) has cautioned authorities in Nigeria and Cameroon against trampling on the rights of 47 Anglophone detainees who were recently repatriated to Cameroon from Nigeria.
Cameroonian forces had crossed into Nigerian territories in operations where thousands of people fled from the countrya��s restive Anglophone regions.
In a statement issued by the US Department of State, and signed by Ms Heather Nauert, she accused Nigeria and Cameroon of violating the rights of the detainees by forcibly repatriating them to their countries of origin.
The US therefore charged the two countries to respect the human rights of the detainees and follow due process in handling their case.
Washington further urged the two nations to refrain from embarking on forceful repatriation of asylum-seekers.
Nauert said: a�?We also call on the government of Cameroon to respect the human rights, including due process, of the 47 Cameroonians forcibly returned from Nigerian custody to the Cameroonian authorities on January 26.
a�?This is in addition to many of whom had reportedly submitted asylum claims in Nigeria. We urge the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to adhere to their obligations under international law to refrain from forcible returns to asylum-seekers back to their countries of origin,a�? she said.
US warns Nigeria, Cameroon over 47 Anglophone detainees
