Mitigating the Humanitarian Crisis: Tunisia’s Response to Intercepting and Expelling African Migrants at Sea

Apparent Policy Shift Endangers Migrants, Asylum Seekers, Children

October 10, 2023 12:30AM EDT

The Tunisian National Guard has collectively expelled over 100 migrants from multiple African countries to the border with Algeria, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch. These migrants, including children and possibly asylum seekers, were intercepted at sea by the Coast Guard and then returned to Tunisia, where they were expelled and left in remote border areas without food or water. These operations represent a disturbing policy shift in Tunisia, as authorities had previously released intercepted migrants in the country after disembarkation.

This concerning development comes in light of a memorandum of understanding signed between Tunisia and the European Union, in which the EU agreed to increase funding to Tunisian security forces, including the Coast Guard, with the aim of stemming irregular sea migration to Europe. However, the recent expulsions of migrants to remote border regions demonstrate a clear violation of human rights and a disregard for the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals.

The Plight of the Migrants

The migrants interviewed by Human Rights Watch recounted their harrowing experiences. They described being intercepted at sea by the Tunisian Coast Guard and forcibly taken back to Tunisia. Upon disembarking, the migrants were subjected to mistreatment, including physical assault, theft of their belongings, and confiscation of their phones and passports. These actions not only violate the basic principles of human rights but also deprive the migrants of their means of communication and identification, leaving them even more vulnerable.

After being held for several hours without access to food, water, or medical screenings, the migrants were taken by buses to the border with Algeria. Once there, they were divided into groups and transported to a remote mountainous area near the Tunisia-Algeria border, where they were abandoned. The testimonies of these migrants highlight the level of danger they were exposed to, as they faced threats from both Tunisian security forces and Algerian military officers.

A Violation of International Law

These collective expulsions carried out by Tunisian authorities are in clear violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibits such actions. The migrants were denied due process rights and were not given the opportunity to challenge their expulsion. Additionally, Tunisia, as a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, has an obligation to protect the rights of children, including their right to seek asylum, freedom from discrimination, and protection from harm.

European Union’s Role

The European Union, which has pledged funding to Tunisian security forces for migration control purposes, must take responsibility for the consequences of their support. The EU should suspend all funding to the Tunisian National Guard and Navy and conduct thorough human rights impact assessments before committing any further support. It is essential that the EU sets clear benchmarks for Tunisian authorities to ensure the protection of migrants’ rights and well-being.

The Way Forward

It is crucial that the international community, including the African Union and governments of the affected African countries, publicly condemn Tunisia‘s abusive treatment of fellow Africans. Collective action is needed to put an end to these violations of human rights and ensure the safety and well-being of migrants and asylum seekers.

Tunisian President Kais Saied’s recent rejection of EU funding for migration management is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of irregular migration and find humanitarian solutions for those seeking safety and stability. Tunisia must uphold its obligations under international law and ensure that migrants and asylum seekers are treated with dignity and respect.

By prioritizing the protection of migrants’ rights and investing in comprehensive migration policies, countries can create a more inclusive and humane approach to migration. It is imperative that leaders around the world recognize the fundamental rights of migrants, regardless of their legal status, and work towards solutions that uphold these principles.

Migrants-wordpress,humanitariancrisis,Tunisia,Africanmigrants,seainterception,expulsion,migration,refugee,asylum,immigrationpolicy