More than 2,000 Tunisian minors have illegally joined Italy since January 2022, the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) said on Wednesday (August 24th). This NGO, which specializes in illegal immigration cases, does not, however, give more details on the age of these minors. A total of 10,139 Tunisians, including 498 women, have been able to reach the Italian coast since the beginning of the year, the FTDS indicates in its press release.
On the other hand, more than 14,700 illegal migrants, including several Sub-Saharans, were intercepted and prevented from continuing their crossing and 443 died or went missing during the same period, according to the same source.
The death of an unemployed Tunisian teacher and her 4-year-old son drowned during an attempt to reach Europe illegally from the coast of Monastir (center east) on August 14, caused a stir in Tunisia. A drama revealed by the press and confirmed Tuesday by the maritime guard.
Despair, the deterioration of public services, daily exhaustion in a country where the future remains ambiguous “make the danger of the sea secondary for these migrants who dream of a better life for themselves and for their children”, estimated the FTDES. This NGO also condemned “the inhuman policies of the European Union which restrict freedom of movement”.
Better weather
Tunisia, which is going through a serious politico-economic crisis, now has 4 million poor people out of nearly 12 million inhabitants.
The country has also been very divided since the coup a year ago by President Kaïs Saïed who assumed full powers pending legislative elections promised for the end of the year.
On August 19, the Ministry of the Interior announced that it had rescued 101 migrants off the coast of Monastir in one week. During the weekend of mid-August, more than 650 candidates for exile, including hundreds of Tunisians, were intercepted by the maritime guard, according to the same source. In spring and summer, thanks to milder weather, attempts at illegal emigration from Tunisia and Libya to Europe tend to increase.
Italy, some of whose coasts are only 200 km from the Tunisian coast, is one of the main entry points for migrants from North Africa. According to the European agency Frontex, the central Mediterranean route was taken by more than 42,500 migrants between January and July, 44% more than in the first seven months of 2021.
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