Afghan Hazara man writes five pages about his persecution for IOM — told his only option is to return to his country
Feb 2025 · San Diego, CA, Afghanistan
Hamza, a Hazara man from Afghanistan, was expelled to Panama on a military plane. In Panama, IOM told him he had two options: return to his country on a commercial flight paid by IOM, or be handed over to the Panamanian government for forced deportation in handcuffs and shackles. He asked IOM if he could seek asylum and wrote four or five pages about his problems in Afghanistan, which he gave to an IOM official along with a written request for asylum in Panama. IOM did not address his asylum request. UNHCR did not arrive at the detention center until two or three days before they left, and did not speak to any of the refugees. At the San Vicente detention center, even going to the toilet required a guard escort, bathrooms had no doors, and the sleeping room was a hot metal structure with dirty mattresses and no sheets.
Sources
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