Families of detained Tunisian pro-migrant activists are calling for their release, asserting that their humanitarian efforts have been criminalized. Romdhane Ben Amor of FTDES highlighted the detrimental impact of governmental rhetoric on migrant welfare. The activists were arrested amid a crackdown on migration, following President Kais Saied’s controversial comments regarding sub-Saharan migrants.
On Tuesday, families of ten imprisoned pro-migrant activists in Tunisia, who have been detained since May, appealed for their release. During a press conference, Romdhane Ben Amor, head of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), emphasized that these individuals were engaged purely in humanitarian efforts, not political advocacy. He argued that the authorities have criminalized their actions to discourage support for migrants and refugees, compelling them towards “voluntary returns” facilitated by the UN’s International Organisation for Migration.
Tunisia has emerged as a significant transit point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. In 2023, President Kais Saied characterized the influx of “hordes of sub-Saharan migrants” as a demographic threat, which resulted in a crackdown that precipitated the arrests of the activists. Among those urging for their release is Emna Riahi, whose daughter, Sherifa Riahi, remains incarcerated despite the dropping of all charges related to money laundering and terrorism.
The situation has also affected Mustapha Djemali, an 80-year-old advocate for refugee rights, whose daughters attended the conference. Reports indicate that Mr. Djemali has lost a significant amount of weight while in prison and has been denied necessary medical treatment for months. Ben Amor condemned the actions of authorities as a strategy to substantiate the president’s anti-migrant narratives and criticized the “complicit silence” exhibited by the European Union and other international organizations regarding this issue.
The detention of pro-migrant activists in Tunisia reflects the ongoing struggles within the country regarding the treatment of migrants and refugee rights. Families and advocates are calling for their immediate release, urging recognition of their humanitarian work. The situation underscores the broader issues arising from political narratives that frame migration as a threat, as well as the international community’s limited response to human rights concerns in Tunisia.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
