United Nations human rights experts have issued a public appeal urging Equatorial Guinea to halt plans to return US deportees to their countries of origin, where the migrants say they face risks of political violence, torture and death.

The statement, which was cosigned by a representative of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, represents rare diplomatic pressure on the West African nation to comply with international human rights standards. The experts specifically cited concerns about refoulement, the prohibited practice under international law of expelling people to countries where they face persecution.

The deportees, who were sent to the region during the Trump administration, have described being held in what they characterize as prison-like conditions. At least 15 migrants were reportedly transported to Kinshasa and are now facing a difficult choice between attempting to return to Latin America or remaining in Africa.

Equatorial Guinea, which has been characterized as one of the world's most repressive regimes, received the deportees as part of US immigration enforcement actions. The current situation has drawn attention from international human rights organizations concerned about the treatment and ultimate fate of the displaced individuals.

The UN appeal adds to growing international scrutiny of deportation practices that may violate the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee and human rights law that prohibits returning people to territories where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.