Tunisian Crisis: Unsettling Expulsion of Black Africans to Libya’s Border

Tunisia: Crisis as Black Africans Expelled to Libya Border

Introduction

A crisis is unfolding in Tunisia as security forces have collectively expelled hundreds of Black African migrants and asylum seekers, including women and children, to a militarized buffer zone at the Tunisia-Libya border. These expulsions, which have taken place since July 2, are in violation of international law and have resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. The expelled individuals are stranded in a dangerous area with little access to food and no medical assistance.

Violence and Expulsions

According to Human Rights Watch, several hundred individuals, including at least 29 children and three pregnant women, have been expelled to the Tunisia-Libya border from July 2 to July 6. The expulsions have taken place without due process, and the individuals have reported violence by authorities during their arrest and expulsion.

Reports suggest that the group of expelled individuals includes asylum seekers registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and individuals with consular cards. This raises serious questions about Tunisia’s commitment to its international obligations to protect vulnerable populations.

Humanitarian Crisis

The expelled individuals are effectively trapped in a buffer zone at the Tunisia-Libya border, where they are unable to enter Libya or return to Tunisia. They are facing dire conditions, including a lack of food and medical assistance. There have been reports of deaths and violence at the border area, although these accounts could not be independently verified due to a lack of access for non-governmental organizations and journalists.

Abuses and Injuries

The expelled individuals have reported severe abuses and injuries at the hands of Tunisian security forces. They have described beatings, sexual harassment and assault, and the destruction of their phones. Disturbing videos and photographs have been shared, showing the injuries sustained by the expelled individuals.

Threats and Attacks

The expulsions from Tunisia come amidst escalating tensions and violence against Black Africans in the country. Tunisian residents have been calling for African foreigners to leave, leading to attacks and clashes. Videos have circulated on social media, showing Tunisian men threatening and assaulting Black Africans. These incidents highlight the larger issue of xenophobia and racism in Tunisia.

International Law and Obligations

The collective expulsions carried out by Tunisia are clear violations of international law. Tunisia is a party to international human rights and refugee conventions, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the UN and African Refugee Conventions, the Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These conventions prohibit collective expulsions and refoulement, which is the forced return or expulsion of individuals to countries where they may face serious harm.

Tunisian Government’s Response

The Tunisian government has a legal and moral obligation to respect international law and protect the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. The government should immediately halt collective expulsions, enable humanitarian access to the expelled individuals at the Tunisia-Libya border, and conduct individual legal status assessments in accordance with due process before deporting anyone. The government must also investigate and hold accountable security forces implicated in abuses.

African Union and Diplomatic Efforts

The African Union Commission should strongly condemn these abusive expulsions and call on Tunisia to provide immediate assistance to the affected Africans. Diplomatic delegations of African countries should work to locate and evacuate their nationals who have been expelled to the Tunisia-Libya border and wish to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.

Conclusion

The situation at the Tunisia-Libya border demands urgent attention and action. The expelled individuals, including children and pregnant women, are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, including food, medical care, and safety. The international community, including regional organizations and individual countries, must come together to address this crisis and ensure the protection of migrants and asylum seekers.

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