UN human rights chief calls for accountability and transparency over deaths of migrants held by U.S. authorities.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for a thorough investigation into the deaths of migrants held in the custody of United States authorities, expressing concern over detention conditions and the lack of transparency surrounding the cases.
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Speaking on behalf of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), High Commissioner Volker Türk urged authorities to ensure accountability for any violations and to uphold the rights of victims’ families.
“Those responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable, and the rights of the victims’ families to the truth, justice, adequate reparation, and guarantees that such incidents will not recur must be ensured,” Türk said.
The High Commissioner said migration policies implemented during Donald Trump’s administration have been marked by limited transparency in detention procedures and in the management of facilities where migrants are held.
Türk noted that 19 deaths have been recorded so far this year, compared with 33 last year and 11 in 2024, describing the figures as part of a broader pattern of opacity surrounding detention practices.
Concern intensified after Trump stated on social media that his administration had reached the “highest average daily rate of detentions by ICE and CBP.” The statement has been interpreted as reflecting an unprecedented scale of migrant enforcement compared with previous U.S. administrations.
The policies implemented during that period included expanding both public and private detention facilities as part of an effort to carry out what has been described as the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history. The approach has drawn criticism from international organizations.
Türk also cited a report by a rights organization documenting 52 deaths in detention during Trump’s second term. According to the report, those who died ranged in age from 19 to 75 and came from 20 different nationalities.
In his latest statement, the High Commissioner also raised concerns about the use of excessive force and prolonged solitary confinement. He said five deaths recorded in 2026 were classified as suicides after extended periods of isolation, in some cases lasting up to 16 days.
Türk further recalled that earlier this year he had denounced violent persecution of migrants in both public and private spaces, including hospitals, churches, mosques, courts, markets, schools, and private homes, warning that these practices underscore the seriousness of the situation.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.