Statement Condemning Multiple Human and Civil Rights Violations in the United States representation to persons affected by arbitrary arrests and expulsions.

Global Pan-African Movement (GPAM – USA)

The Global Pan-African Movement (GPAM – USA) is concerned about the growing evidence of the erosion of basic rights and freedoms as applied to immigrants, international students, citizens, and non-citizens in the United States of America. GPAM remains concerned that persons suspected of being “illegal” immigrants are being denied basic legal rights that should apply to all. GPAM condemns the recent tendency to deny persons on temporary visas their basic rights to freedom of expression, and basic rights of defence in courts. We are deeply troubled by the recent reports of mass deportation, the “disappearing” of persons characterised as gang members, and the arbitrary rescinding of student visas from students labelled as terrorists, whose only faults were to be critical of US-sponsored genocide in Palestine and overall Middle Eastern foreign policy. GPAM is also concerned about targeting law firms involved in offering legal representation to persons affected by arbitrary arrests and expulsions. 

Specifically, we unequivocally condemn the recent series of egregious denial of the humanity and dignity of vulnerable migrants and refugees, including the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador prisons; the arbitrary detainment of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident of the United States; and the announced termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals by August 2025.

On the Unlawful Imprisonment of Venezuelan Migrants in El Salvador

The forcible deportation of Venezuelan refugees to prison facilities in El Salvador not only represents a flagrant violation of international law and human dignity, but it reflects the brute force necessary to sustain a failing global order. The individuals being targeted fled devastating conditions - aided and abetted by U.S. imperialism - only to be criminalized and incarcerated without due process in a third country. This practice shows blatant disregard for the principle of non-refoulement in international law which prohibits states from returning individuals to a country where they face a real risk of persecution, torture, or other serious human rights violations, and further constitutes collective punishment against people whose only purported "crime" was seeking safety in the US.

We further denounce the unauthorized capturing and dissemination of images depicting prisoners—whether they are prisoners of war, detainees, or individuals in any form of custody—violates multiple provisions of international law, including:

• Article 13 of the Third Geneva Convention, which explicitly protects prisoners of war from "acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity"
• Similar protections under the Fourth Geneva Convention regarding civilian detainees
• The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules)
• Basic principles of human dignity enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The documentation of prisoners through images and videos often represents the visible manifestation of a broader pattern of mistreatment and abuse. In many cases, these images are purposefully created to humiliate, intimidate, or dehumanize those in custody. Even when captured under the guise of "documentation" or "transparency," such imagery frequently serves to violate rather than protect rights. In fact, the recent visit of the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, to a prison in El Salvador where migrants from the U.S. are being held, not only attempted to use migrants as prop, but showed the crowded and inhumane ways under which the rights of migrants are abused.  

The international community must not remain silent in the face of such flagrant disregard for human rights. We pledge our unwavering solidarity with these migrants and commit to fighting for their immediate liberation and proper treatment under international law. 

On the Detainment of Palestinian Activists, Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk 

We similarly condemn in the strongest terms the unjustifiable arrest and ongoing detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States, An LPR with constitutional rights similar to that of a citizen. They have a right to equal protection and due process under the 5th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution; freedom of speech, religion, and assembly under the 1st Amendment; Protection against unreasonable search and seizure under the 4th Amendment; and right to a fair trial and legal representation in criminal proceedings.

The unlawful arrest and arbitrary detention of Mahmoud Khalil demonstrates contempt for due process and internationally recognized legal protections. The absence of transparency surrounding his case further compounds this injustice and raises serious concerns about potential rights abuses during his confinement. Khalil’s arrest demonstrates that the U.S. regime is uninterested in civil liberties and rights such as Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom. His treatment has revealed high-handed and undemocratic suppression of the freedom of speech of those who are committed to the dignity and sovereignty of Palestine and Palestinians. 

GPAM also condemns the kidnapping of Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD student at Tufts University who was grabbed, arrested, and detained in Somerville, Massachusetts by plainclothes federal agents this week in apparent retaliation for a Tufts Daily op-ed she co-authored last year. These egregious instances demonstrate a slide into outright authoritarianism and we call on all to oppose these unjust acts.

We stand unwaveringly in defence of the principles of justice and freedom, and unequivocally denounce this appalling instance of arbitrary detention. We pledge to relentlessly monitor this situation and will not cease our advocacy until proper legal treatment in accordance with international human rights standards is fully restored.

On the suspension and termination of Dr. Helyeh Doutaghi

We denounce the Zionist, artificial intelligence-written article that defamed the scholarly and political work of Dr. Helyeh Doutaghi. The article amalgamated random information about Dr. Doutaghi and framed all her anti-imperialist organizing as anti-semitic, provoking Yale University to put Dr. Doutaghi on administrative leave, which complicates her status as an international scholar, and eventually leading to terminating her contract. We condemn the nexus of right-wing fascism and the Zionist lobby in dictating and delimiting what constitutes freedom of speech and freedom of inquiry, resulting in intellectual terrorism. We object to the conflation of defending Palestine with being anti-Semitic, as is evidenced by many Jewish groups standing against the genocide, against settler colonialism, and for the liberation of Palestine. We also condemn Yale University (alongside the Law & Political Economy Project), which promotes itself to be a leading intellectual university in heeding to the demands of the Zionists which contradict freedom of speech and freedom of inquiry. 

In support of Mamodou Taal 

We stand in solidarity with Cornell University’s graduate student, Mamodou Taal. We condemn intelligence and security authorities in the hunting down of Mr. Taal and the institutions that are facilitating his surveillance. We support the defence of freedom of speech, particularly the right to speak against the genocide inflicted by the Zionist entity and its allies. 

We stand in defence of freedom of speech for all. While the liberal media has focused solely on how international students are being impacted by these draconian measures, we are concerned about the specific targeting of students who are Pro-Palestine and anti-genocide. We strongly condemn the criminalisation of speech which stands in support of the liberation of Palestine. 

On the Termination of TPS Protections for Almost Half Billion People

The decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals by August 2025 represents a cruel reversal of humanitarian policy. This unprecedented mass termination of protections will thrust long-term residents into precarious legal situations despite ongoing crises in their countries of origin.

Economic and Social Impact

The announced TPS termination alone will have devastating economic consequences for the United States. These communities collectively:

• Contribute over billions of dollars annually in federal, state, and local taxes
• Represent over 200,000 workers in critical industries including healthcare, construction, food service, and manufacturing
• Have established deep roots in American communities with approximately over 250,000 U.S. citizen children in TPS households
• Fill crucial labor market gaps in an economy already facing worker shortages

The deportation of established residents would create immediate labor shortages in key sectors, reduce consumer spending, diminish tax revenue, and tear apart mixed-status families. Beyond economic impacts, these communities have become essential to the social fabric of countless American cities and towns, contributing to cultural diversity, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

Our Demands

We urge:

1. The immediate cessation of these deportations and release of Venezuelan migrants unjustly imprisoned in El Salvador and call for their proper treatment under international refugee law
2. Full accountability from all governments involved in this reprehensible practice and insist on immediate access for international human rights organizations to assess the conditions of those detained in El Salvador
3. Immediate cessation of all unauthorized photography and videography of prisoners and detainees in El Salvador
4. Removal of existing images and footage from all public platforms and official records except where explicitly permitted by international observers for documentation of conditions

5. Independent monitoring of detention facilities to ensure compliance with international standards

   We further urge:

6. The immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil unless legitimate charges are presented through transparent legal proceedings
7. That Mahmoud Khalil be granted immediate and unfettered access to legal counsel of his choosing
8. That authorities publicly disclose all charges against him and present evidence through proper legal channels
9. That an independent medical assessment be undertaken to verify his physical and psychological well-being during detention
10. That regular family visitation rights without undue restrictions be allowed
11. That guarantees that he has not been and will not be subjected to coercion, torture, or mistreatment to extract confessions be provided
12. That international human rights organizations be granted access to verify his detention conditions
13. That Authorities publicly disclose his exact location of detention
14. That if he is classified as a foreign national, that immediate consular access be granted as guaranteed under international law

15. That the targeting of Asian students and Academic Departments devoted to Asian, Middle Eastern, and African Studies be brought to an end

    We also urge:

16. The reversal of the decision to terminate TPS protections and the establishment of permanent pathways to legal status for long-term TPS holders
17. Restoration of the original TPS expiration timelines
18. Development of a viable pathway to permanent residency for long-term TPS holders
19. Implementation of comprehensive immigration reform that acknowledges the vital contributions of these individuals to our economy and communities
20. Collaboration between government, business leaders, and immigrant advocacy groups to create solutions that benefit both TPS holders and American businesses

These actions—deportation of Venezuelan migrants, arrest and detainment of Lawful Permanent Resident, Mahmoud Khalil, and the rescission of TPS—collectively reflect a disturbing pattern of criminalization of migrants and refugees, the weaponization of legal systems against vulnerable populations, and violations of international humanitarian obligations. In each case, we see the abandonment of compassion and legal protections in favor of punitive approaches that treat human beings as political pawns.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with all those affected by these unconscionable policies and commit to fighting for justice, dignity, and respect for human rights.

The Global Pan-African Movement (GPAM – USA) educates and discusses with the general public on issues pertinent to Global Africa and African Descendants through public forums and all relevant media with the intent to mobilize, galvanise and empower Pan-Africans and visionaries dedicated to the emancipation of Africa and the transformation of our planet.