Tunisia, twenty-six humanitarian organizations ask for humane treatment of sub-Saharan migrants

ROME – Twenty-six human rights and civil society organizations issued a joint statement, calling on the Tunisian government to ensure the protection of migrants, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa, whose number is estimated at over 20,000, and to end the social and systemic discrimination they suffer. It is learned from the online newspaper Kapitalis. The statement came in the aftermath of an attack on migrants in the city of Sfax by a group of young people on the night of May 22 and the following morning. One migrant was killed and four others were injured in the attack. The perpetrators reportedly broke into a residence hosting migrants and attacked them.

A climate of incitement to racism. The organizations said this latest attack was a direct result of the current climate of incitement and racism against migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. According to the statement, the government must “assume its responsibilities to protect migrants, regardless of their administrative status, and ensure their physical and psychological well-being”. The organizations also called for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and restrictions imposed on migrants, which aim to hinder the recognition, enjoyment and exercise of their rights. The statement also calls on the government to introduce measures to prevent all forms of racial discrimination and attacks against migrants.

Saied’s discriminatory drift. Tunisian President Kais Saied made racist statements against sub-Saharan migrants in the country in February, calling their presence an “invasion” and accusing them of trying to take over the country and make it “purely African”, statements that had been widely criticized by progressive forces and rights groups, the organizations recall. In March, at least 14 migrants trying to reach Europe were killed when their boats sank off the Tunisian coast. They had left Sfax. At the time, rights organizations said Tunisian officials forcibly removed the engines from at least seven other boats carrying migrants and left them floating in the open sea for hours. Migrants aboard some of these boats had accused the Tunisian authorities of racism.