Amnesty International accused Tunisia on Tuesday of escalating human rights violations against sub-Saharan migrants through mass deportations to remote border regions, arbitrary detentions, and physical violence by security forces. The rights organization warned that European nations providing financial support for Tunisian border enforcement may share responsibility for these abuses.
President Kais Saied's February 2023 statement claiming that African migrants threatened the country's demographic character triggered widespread racist attacks and forced removals. Proposed legislative changes would impose harsher penalties on undocumented individuals and those assisting them. Authorities have transported groups to desert areas bordering Libya and Algeria, while residents in some coastal communities have demanded the removal of makeshift settlements.
The European Union signed a 105 million euro migration control agreement with Tunisia in 2023. Amnesty urged suspension of such funding and called for investigations into security force conduct, protection of asylum access, and an end to collective expulsions.
President Kais Saied's February 2023 statement claiming that African migrants threatened the country's demographic character triggered widespread racist attacks and forced removals. Proposed legislative changes would impose harsher penalties on undocumented individuals and those assisting them. Authorities have transported groups to desert areas bordering Libya and Algeria, while residents in some coastal communities have demanded the removal of makeshift settlements.
The European Union signed a 105 million euro migration control agreement with Tunisia in 2023. Amnesty urged suspension of such funding and called for investigations into security force conduct, protection of asylum access, and an end to collective expulsions.
