Families of detained Tunisian pro-migrant activists appeal for their release, stressing their humanitarian efforts were criminalized. Activists aim to support migrants facing increasing governmental pressure, notably following President Kais Saied’s derogatory comments about immigrants. There is growing concern over the health of detained activists as calls for international action intensify.
On Tuesday, the families of detained Tunisian pro-migrant and anti-racism activists called for their release, highlighting that these individuals have been imprisoned since May. Romdhane Ben Amor, the head of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), emphasized that these activists were involved in humanitarian efforts rather than political advocacy. However, he criticized the authorities for having “criminalized their actions” during a press conference.
Ben Amor further noted that the government’s objective was to “further weaken migrants and refugees and to push them to accept ‘voluntary returns’ organized by the (UN’s) International Organization for Migration.” Presently, Tunisia serves as a significant transit nation for many African migrants attempting to navigate the Mediterranean in search of better economic opportunities and living conditions.
In 2023, President Kais Saied characterized the migration situation by referring disparagingly to “hordes of sub-Saharan migrants” whom he claimed threatened to alter Tunisia’s demographic composition. This rhetoric was coupled with a government crackdown on migrants and the arrests of activists over the past year.
Emna Riahi, mother of activist Sherifa Riahi, expressed her distress at her daughter’s detention. She called for Sherifa’s release, noting that the charges of money laundering and terrorism against her have been dropped. Additionally, Yusra and Emna Djemali attended the press conference to advocate for their father, Mustapha Djemali, an elderly founder of the Tunisian Council for Refugees, who reportedly lost significant weight in prison and faced a lack of necessary medication for several months.
Ben Amor lamented that all of these activists “are imprisoned to make it seem as though the president’s racist rhetoric was based on real facts,” criticizing the “complicit silence” of the European Union and international organizations regarding this issue.
The recent appeals for the release of detained pro-migrant activists in Tunisia underscore a broader issue surrounding humanitarian work and governmental crackdowns fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment. Families of the activists assert their innocence and call attention to the deteriorating health conditions of their loved ones in prison. It highlights the need for international accountability and intervention in the underlying issues of human rights abuses and discrimination faced by migrants.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
