In Tunisia, anti-migrant sentiment has intensified, leaving Sub-Saharan migrants without essential support. Jonas, a Nigerian refugee, represents the struggles faced by many, as government crackdowns hinder aid efforts. President Kais Saied’s rhetoric has incited racial violence, while European nations’ policies further complicate the migrant crisis, highlighting severe implications on human rights and safety for displaced individuals.
Jonas, a 48-year-old Nigerian refugee, spent over a year seeking refuge in Tunisia after fleeing ethnic violence in Nigeria. Upon arriving in Tunisia last November, he found himself without support as anti-migrant sentiment surged and the government imposed restrictions on migrant aid organizations. Describing his struggles, Jonas stated, “I have no assistance here,” and lamented the absence of any help from the United Nations despite expectations of support.
Tunisia serves as a significant transit point for numerous Sub-Saharan migrants aspiring to reach Europe by sea. However, in 2023, President Kais Saied described these migrants as “hordes of illegal migrants,” sparking racially charged violence against them. In a report, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) lamented how authorities continue to criminalize migrants while depriving many of essential support, leaving them in dangerous predicaments.
The situation worsened in June 2023 when the UN refugee agency halted the acceptance of new asylum applications following directives from the Tunisian government. Although the Tunisian foreign ministry stated that the government adheres to international responsibilities, civil society has observed a shrinking operational space under Saied’s regime. This has culminated in the detention of several workers linked to migrant assistance organizations, with accusations labeling them as “traitors and mercenaries.”
Rights advocates, such as Romdhane Ben Amor of the FTDES organization, emphasized that these actions exemplify a strategy to weaken migrants, paralleling Tunisia’s economic struggles and rising unemployment. European nations, including Italy, have intensified efforts to suppress migration, leading to a significant reduction in Mediterranean migrant arrivals in 2024. However, accusations of severe human rights violations against sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia remain prevalent.
Informants, including a Tunisian academic, reveal that Saied’s rhetoric exposed deeply rooted societal racism. With Tunisia enduring a troubling historical narrative surrounding race, many observers noted that the stark truth of racial discrimination in the nation is regrettably familiar to them.
The plight of Sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia has been exacerbated by rising anti-migrant sentiment and government crackdowns on aid organizations. This situation not only highlights the struggles of individual refugees like Jonas but also indicates a broader trend of criminalization and racial hostility towards migrants in the region. Moreover, the involvement of European nations further complicates these challenges, raising serious concerns about human rights and the treatment of vulnerable populations in Tunisia.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
