Lawyer pushes International Criminal Court to investigate rights violations against migrants and refugees in Tunisia.
Relatives of imprisoned Tunisian opposition figures are set to submit a case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to address alleged human rights abuses against migrants and refugees in the country, according to The Guardian. This move follows reports of widespread mistreatment, including sexual violence, experienced by Black migrants at the hands of security forces in Tunisia.
Lawyer Rodney Dixon KC, leading the case, asserts that the ICC must use its jurisdiction to protect the most vulnerable and address these alleged crimes against humanity with full international force. The Guardian’s investigation also revealed abuses by EU-funded security forces operating in the region.
Desert Expulsions
Tunisia’s treatment of sub-Saharan African migrants, particularly after a 100 million euro deal with the EU to combat undocumented migration, has drawn significant attention. The expulsion of migrants into the Libyan and Algerian deserts, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals, has raised accusations of violent border strategies.
The Tunisian government faces mounting claims of assaults and sexual violence against migrants, despite denying these allegations and asserting the professionalism of their security forces. This situation adds to the existing concerns regarding President Kais Saied’s administration, especially in light of repressive policies towards political and media freedoms.
‘Chilling Message’
The reported abuse allegations, alongside the ongoing crackdown on government critics and activists, underline a concerning trend of stifling dissent in Tunisia. The upcoming election, with Saied as the favored candidate, raises questions about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process in the country.