Families of imprisoned activists in Tunisia are appealing for their release, emphasizing their humanitarian work rather than political involvement. Romdhane Ben Amor argues that their detentions undermine migrant support efforts, and concerns about health conditions emerge. The situation reflects President Kais Saied’s rhetoric against sub-Saharan migrants and a larger critique of the EU’s silence on human rights issues.
The families of detained Tunisian pro-migrant and anti-racism activists have made a public appeal for their release. These activists have been imprisoned since May, with their families expressing grave concern over their well-being. Romdhane Ben Amor, the head of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), emphasized that the detained individuals were participating in humanitarian work rather than engaging in political activities. He stated that authorities have unjustly “criminalized their actions,” undermining their contributions to society.
Ben Amor asserted that the detention of these activists appears to be an effort to further weaken migrants and refugees, pushing them towards accepting what he described as “voluntary returns” organized by the International Organization for Migration (UN). He highlighted Tunisia’s role as a significant transit point for African migrants seeking better economic opportunities in Europe, underscoring the humanitarian implications of these detentions.
President Kais Saied’s rhetoric in 2023 referred to sub-Saharan migrants as a threat to Tunisia’s demographic composition, coinciding with a crackdown on migrants and the arrest of activists. Such statements have intensified fears among the migrant population. Emna Riahi spoke at the press conference about her daughter, Sherifa Riahi, the former head of Terre d’Asile Tunisie, requesting her release as charges against Sherifa related to money laundering and terrorism have been dropped.
Present at the event were the daughters of Mustapha Djemali, the founder of the Tunisian Council for Refugees and a former chief of the UN Refugee Agency for North Africa. They reported that their father has experienced significant weight loss and has not received needed medication during his imprisonment. Ben Amor criticized the situation, indicating that the imprisonment of these activists serves to validate the discriminatory statements from the Tunisian president, while also lamenting the “complicit silence” of European Union and other international organizations in this matter.
The families of detained pro-migrant activists in Tunisia have urged authorities for their immediate release, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of their work. They raised concerns over the health conditions of the imprisoned individuals, while Romdhane Ben Amor highlighted the broader implications of their detentions. The ongoing crackdown on migrants in Tunisia not only affects those imprisoned but also reflects an alarming disregard for human rights, prompting calls for international awareness and action.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
