Roberto Mosquera del Peral's Hunger Strike Exposes Human Rights Abuses in Eswatini

In a desperate bid for justice, Roberto Mosquera del Peral, a Cuban national, has embarked on an indefinite hunger strike at Matsapha Correctional Centre in Eswatini to protest his prolonged detention without due process. This courageous act of defiance has shed light on the secretive transfer arrangement between the United States and Eswatini, which has left 13 others in a similar predicament. Amnesty International has echoed Roberto's plea, calling on the authorities to facilitate a medical assessment, ensure access to lawyers and families, and disclose the legal basis for the detentions.

Key Takeaways:

• Roberto Mosquera del Peral, a Cuban national, has launched an indefinite hunger strike in Eswatini to protest his detention without due process, highlighting the human cost of secret transfer arrangements.
• The secretive transfer arrangement between the United States and Eswatini has resulted in 14 men being deported to Eswatini, with none having ties to the country, and they remain detained without charge.
• Lawyers and family members have been repeatedly denied confidential access to the detainees, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
• Amnesty International has urged the Eswatini authorities to facilitate a medical assessment for Roberto, ensure confidential access to lawyers and families for all detainees, and disclose the legal basis for these detentions.
• The United States and Eswatini have been called upon to be transparent about the terms of their agreement, as the transfers breach the principle of non-refoulement and result in serious human rights violations.
• Roberto's hunger strike has reportedly begun on October 15, and his health has deteriorated.

Statistics:

• 14 men have been deported to Eswatini under a secretive transfer arrangement between the two governments.
• 13 others, besides Roberto, are currently detained, with no ties to the country.
• The detained men remain without charges, and attempts by legal representatives to obtain confidential access have been repeatedly refused.

Sources:

• Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah
• The reports by the lawyers and family members of the detainees
• The statement by Amnesty International, dated October 15, 2025.