Tunisia: UN experts concerned over safety of migrants, refugees and victims of trafficking

GENEVA - UN experts* said today they are alarmed by reports of human rights violations against migrants, refugees and victims of trafficking during search and rescue operations and transfers to border areas.

“We have received shocking reports detailing dangerous manoeuvres when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers at sea; physical violence, including beatings, threats of use of firearms; removal of engines and fuel; and capsizing of boats,” the experts said.

They noted that, between January and July 2024, 189 people, including children, are reported to have lost their lives during crossings and 265 during interception operations at sea; 95 people are reported missing, and, in certain cases, they could be victims of enforced disappearance or acts tantamount to enforced disappearance.

“For those who are ‘rescued’ by the coastguards, including victims of trafficking, their situation reportedly only worsens on disembarkation at ports. Reports received include allegations of arbitrary forcible transfers to borders with Algeria and Libya, without access to humanitarian assistance”, the experts said, “regardless of risks of dehydration, malnutrition or injuries suffered due to sunburn”.

The experts also raised concerns at alleged failures to identify, assist and provide protection to victims of trafficking, and to ensure access to international protection, as well as at reports that Sub-Saharan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are subjected to higher degrees of violence by Tunisian security forces.

“We are appalled by the reported violence and the excessive use of force during these transfers. Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including children and pregnant women, are allegedly brought to the desert areas bordering with Algeria and Libya, and fired at by border guards if they attempt to return,” the experts said.

The also expressed concern at a reported increase of criminal groups engaged in trafficking in persons and at reports of sexual violence, including rape, against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia.

“We have also received reports of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and of rape of women and girls as young as 10 years old around border areas,” the experts said.

The experts observed that, reportedly, the repression of civil society organisations and human rights defenders supporting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, in particular investigations into a number of NGOs, has led to the temporary suspension of pre-registration activities, and limited the access to basic services by migrants.

“We are concerned that, despite these serious allegations, Tunisia continues to be considered a place of safety following search and rescue at sea, and cooperation continues following the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic and global partnership between the European Union and Tunisia, seriously undermining international human rights and international refugee law,” the experts said.

The experts have been in contact with the Tunisian authorities and the European Union with regard to these allegations.