On the Tunisian-Libyan border
Around 200 migrants rescued from desert
7/17/2023, 7:23 p.m
Tunisia is an important transit country for migrants. The country signs an agreement with the EU to stop irregular migration. Brussels is promising around 900 million euros. Almost 200 migrants have now been found in the desert – probably abandoned by Tunisian security forces.
According to international organizations, almost 200 migrants have been rescued from the desert on the Tunisian-Libyan border after they were allegedly dumped there by Tunisian security forces. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it had taken care of 191 rescued people. According to the authorities, IOM helpers and Libyan border guards provided them with food, clothing and temporary accommodation. Some of the migrants were taken by border guards to the nearby village of Al-Assah in northern Libya, sources said.
In a video released by the Interior Ministry, two Nigerian men said they were beaten by members of the Tunisian military and taken with others to a desert area. The military officials had asked them to make their way to Libya. Another man said the Tunisian military took their passports and then burned the documents. He was put in a vehicle with 35 other people and taken to the border with Libya. The group stayed in the desert for two days.
The human rights organization Human Rights Watch accused Tunisian security forces of having collectively expelled hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers in the direction of the border. These include children and pregnant women. They were left in a “remote, militarized buffer zone” with little food and no medical care. Security forces destroyed the mobile phones of almost all those affected. There have also been reports of violence and sexual assault. According to the non-governmental organization Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), between 500 and 700 migrants are said to have been brought from the Tunisian coastal town of Sfax to the border area with Libya.
Migration agreement with the EU
Together with Libya, Tunisia is one of the most important transit countries for migrants in North Africa on their way to Europe. Hostilities and harassment of sub-Saharan migrants have escalated in recent months after controversial remarks by Tunisian President Kais Saied. He had spoken of “hordes of irregular migrants”, accused them of “violence, crime and unacceptable behavior” and announced tougher action.
At the same time, the EU Commission wants to expand cooperation with Tunisia on the issue of migration. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the heads of government of the Netherlands and Italy and Saied announced the signing of a declaration of intent on Sunday. The EU Commission wants to make a good 100 million euros available for search and rescue operations and the repatriation of migrants. Brussels has promised the country financial aid totaling up to 900 million euros.