Migration Activists Raise Concerns Over Mass Expulsions and Arbitrary Arrests in Tunisia
Migration activists are drawing attention to the alarming situation in Tunisia, where authorities are witnessing an increase in migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights has accused the government of prioritizing European demands over humanitarian concerns, leading to a campaign of repression against migrants.
Dire Conditions at Tunisia’s Borders
According to witness accounts, the situation has become particularly dire around Tunisia’s borders with Libya and Algeria, as well as in Sfax, the country’s second most populous city and a common stopover point for migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights reports that migrants in Sfax regularly face arbitrary arrests, violence, and property destruction. This mistreatment is not limited to unauthorized migrants but also extends to refugees, students, and workers.
Mass Expulsions and Deportations
The organization has received numerous reports of mass expulsions across the Algerian and Libyan borders. In Algeria, migrants are being deported into the desert regardless of weather conditions. In war-torn Libya, deportations often result in migrants ending up in detention centers run by armed groups. Tunisian officials acknowledge that small groups of migrants have been pushed back across the country’s desert borders but dispute reports of systemic abuse and expulsions.
Calls for Government Action
The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights is calling on the government to cease deportations, provide migrants with safe haven, and update laws to allow undocumented individuals to obtain some form of legal status. The organization emphasizes that sovereignty is not achieved by intimidating vulnerable groups but by implementing national policies that guarantee dignity, rights, and freedoms for all individuals.
Increased Scrutiny on Tunisia
Tunisia is facing heightened scrutiny regarding its treatment of migrants. In 2023 alone, over 97,000 people crossed the Mediterranean from Tunisia to Italy, according to the UNHCR. Tunisian migration groups estimate that there are between 20,000 and 50,000 sub-Saharan migrants in the country. The Tunisian authorities receive financial assistance from Europe to help police borders, with a $1.1 billion aid agreement brokered in July 2023, including 105 million euros specifically allocated for migration.
Tunisia’s Stance on Migration
Despite receiving aid, President Kais Saied has made it clear that Tunisia will not become Europe’s “border guard” or accept migrants whom European politicians, including right-wing leaders, do not want. However, Saied faced allegations of racism last year after referring to the presence of sub-Saharan African migrants as part of a “criminal plan to change the demographic makeup of the country.”
Conclusion
The situation in Tunisia regarding migrants is cause for concern, as reports of mass expulsions, arbitrary arrests, and violence continue to emerge. Migration activists are urging the government to prioritize humanitarian concerns over European demands and provide migrants with safe haven. Tunisia’s treatment of migrants is under scrutiny, and it remains to be seen how the government will address these issues moving forward.