Jonas, a Nigerian refugee, finds himself stranded in Tunisia, facing rising anti-migrant sentiment and lack of aid. Tunisia’s president has declared migrants a demographic threat, resulting in violence and government crackdowns on support organizations. UN refugee operations have ceased, and many humanitarian groups are curtailing their activities, leading to precarious situations for migrants. An ongoing legacy of racism further complicates their plight amid international pressures to control migration.
Jonas, a Nigerian refugee, sought safety in Tunisia after fleeing violence against his Igbo ethnic group. However, he encounters rising anti-migrant sentiments and government crackdowns, leaving him without support upon arrival. Meeting an indifferent asylum system in Tunisia, Jonas laments the absence of aid, saying, “I carry my cross” while struggling to find plastic waste for sustenance.
Tunisia serves as a transit hub for many sub-Saharan migrants aspiring to cross to Europe. In a controversial address in 2023, President Kais Saied claimed that “hordes of illegal migrants” threatened Tunisia’s demographics, inciting racially charged violence against migrants. Reports continue to highlight a trend of criminalization against migrants, exacerbating their vulnerability and lack of essential support.
Compounding the issue, the UN refugee agency halted new applications in Tunisia following government directives. Responses to inquiries about this decision remain elusive from the authorities. The foreign ministry asserts that the government balances border security, law enforcement, and international obligations, while civil society organizations report increased restrictions in their operations, with numerous arrests of aid workers.
Some detained include leaders of key humanitarian organizations, with accusations of fostering illegal migrant settlements by the government fueling the crackdown. As a result, many organizations have reduced their operations or completely ceased activities.
Rights spokesperson Romdhane Ben Amor notes that the government aims to destabilize migrants further amid economic challenges. Many Tunisians share sentiments of pressure regarding migrant care, while migrants themselves feel trapped due to European border control intensification. Recent agreements between Italy and Tunisia to curb migration depict a grim alliance amid worsening conditions for migrants in Tunisia.
Amid increasing rights violations reported, including mass expulsions, an anonymous Tunisian academic remarked on the deep-rooted racism in Tunisia, asserting that Saied’s comments reflect prevalent public sentiment. She described the current situation as a continuation of a troubling legacy within the country.
The situation for Sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia remains dire amid a climate of rising anti-migrant sentiment and state crackdowns. Many face severe hardships without access to essential support, as humanitarian organizations grapple with restrictions. Coupled with international agreements to curb migration flow, the safety and rights of these migrants appear increasingly compromised, revealing deeper societal issues rooted in racism and socio-economic strains.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
