In a move sparking criticism from human rights groups, Tunisian authorities forcibly removed hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants from encampments in the capital city early on Friday.
The Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES) reported that at least 300 migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, women, and children, were forcibly evacuated overnight.
Makeshift settlements, including some near the International Organization for Migration (IOM), were reportedly destroyed during the operation.
The expelled migrants, numbering up to 700 according to FTDES, had set up temporary camps in the Lac 1 area north of Tunis in recent months.
Many had fled violence targeting migrants in other cities following a controversial speech by President Kais Saied in February 2023.
Saied had accused “hordes of illegal migrants” of posing a threat to Tunisia’s demographics.
Humanitarian sources confirmed the expulsions, which reportedly began around 3:00 am.
While some migrants left the encampments before authorities arrived, others managed to escape during transport to the western Beja region near the Algerian border.
FTDES expressed concern for vulnerable individuals protected by international conventions and those requiring medical assistance, who were already living in harsh conditions.
Tunisia has become a key departure point for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe, with Italy being a major destination.
The recent expulsions occurred just days after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Tunis, her fourth in less than a year. Meloni, known for her hardline stance on migration, signed deals with Tunisia aimed at reducing migration flows.
During her visit, President Saied reiterated his position that Tunisia shouldn’t become “a country of transit or settlement” for migrants.
With migration expected to be a key issue in upcoming European elections, Meloni is set to lead her far-right Fratelli d’Italia party in the June polls.
The forceful expulsion of hundreds of migrants from Tunisia raises questions about the human rights implications of such actions and the broader challenges surrounding migration management in the region.
