The article discusses the perilous conditions faced by sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia amidst rising anti-migrant sentiment and government crackdowns. Key figures, including Jonas from Nigeria, struggle for survival in a hostile environment with diminishing aid. President Saied’s inflammatory comments have contributed to violence against migrants, and government actions suppress humanitarian efforts, leaving many individuals without support.
Jonas, a Nigerian who fled ethnic violence, has spent over a year attempting to reach Tunisia. However, he now confronts a perilous situation due to growing anti-migrant sentiments and a government crackdown. Arriving in Tunis in November last year, he faced a stagnant asylum process and a reduction in aid from migrant organizations, leaving him to scavenge for plastic waste to survive. “I have no assistance here,” he lamented, highlighting his severe plight.
Tunisia serves as a critical transit point for numerous sub-Saharan migrants pursuing passage to Europe by sea. In 2023, President Kais Saied declared that “hordes of illegal migrants” threatened Tunisia’s Arab majority, inciting racially motivated violence that forced many sub-Saharan nationals from urban centers. A recent report from the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expressed concern that authorities continue to criminalize migrants, leaving them in precarious situations without essential support.
In June 2023, the UN refugee agency halted new applications in Tunisia following directives from the Tunisian government. Although the authorities have not publicly commented, Tunisia’s foreign ministry issued a statement denying spreading false allegations and asserting that it balances border protection with international responsibilities. Civil rights organizations have observed a decline in their operational capabilities, with at least ten aid workers detained for purportedly assisting migrants.
Saied’s government has labeled these organizations as “traitors and mercenaries,” which has led to the arrest of key figures like Mustapha Djemali, president of the Tunisian Refugee Council. This aggressive crackdown has resulted in several organizations curtailing or ceasing their activities altogether.
This strategy appears aimed at maintaining precarious conditions for migrants while local citizens, amid rampant unemployment and economic stagnation, express concerns about their ability to accommodate additional populations. Rights advocate Romdhane Ben Amor remarked that European nations share accountability for the crisis due to their deals with Tunisia to limit migrants. Recently, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strengthened commitments worth €105 million to help reduce migrant departures, which resulted in a rapid drop in arrivals despite troubling human rights violations against migrants in Tunisia.
Despite growing alarm within human rights circles, some local academics express little surprise at the government’s actions, viewing them as reflective of Tunisia’s entrenched racist attitudes. An anonymous scholar noted, “It’s an ugly reality,” acknowledging the longstanding issues of racism existing within the nation.
The situation for sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia has significantly deteriorated due to rising anti-migrant sentiment and government restrictions on aid. As key organizations retract their support, individuals like Jonas are left without options for assistance. The Tunisian government’s stringent measures follow President Saied’s inflammatory rhetoric, which has incited violence and criminalization against migrants. Despite international recognition of these challenges, the response to curb migrant arrivals continues, further imperiling vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
