For the past few weeks, migrants in Tunisia have reported an alarming increase in arrests by Tunisian authorities, particularly targeting Black people. These arrests are happening on the streets, in cafes, shops, and even in homes, mainly in the cities of Sousse and Sfax. Relatives of those detained fear they may be sent to the desert near the borders with Algeria or Libya, causing significant anxiety among the migrant community.
Salif, a twenty-year-old Guinean living near Sfax, recounted to InfoMigrants that the Tunisian National Guard has been forcefully entering homes, confiscating passports, and stealing personal belongings, including phones and money. They beat people with batons and put them on buses. Although Salif’s account couldn’t be independently verified, multiple sources confirm a similar pattern of large-scale arrests targeting Sub-Saharan migrants in public spaces and private residences.
In one such instance, Salif reported that several friends were “rounded up” in the streets of Sousse, while others were caught along the road from Sfax to El-Amra. Similar stories have emerged from various locations, indicating a widespread crackdown. Emmanuel, an Ivorian, recounted that his “undocumented brother” was arrested after finishing work in Tunis. According to Christian, a Cameroonian, police officers also raided a building in the Soukra district, arresting everyone inside and only releasing those with proper documentation.
Even those with valid documentation are not exempt from harassment. Jérôme, a business student in Tunis, described racial profiling incidents where friends with residence permits were still stopped and questioned by the Civil Guard. This pervasive atmosphere of fear is compounded by the inability to contact those detained, as most have had their phones confiscated or have run out of battery.
Amnesty International, in a press release on May 16 2024, condemned these “collective expulsions” as illegal and arbitrary, violating international law. Heba Morayef, the regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, called for an immediate halt to these expulsions and emphasized the need to protect the rights of all refugees and migrants.
The exact number of people arrested since early May remains unknown, as Tunisian authorities have not provided any public communication on the matter. This situation has led to heightened fear among migrants, many of whom no longer dare to leave their homes. Jérôme, despite being in a regular situation, avoids going out after dark, fearing he could be targeted. Salif, too, has not left his camp in two days, preferring to stay hidden rather than risk being detained while trying to obtain food and water.
Christian expressed his deep concern, fearing that if deported to Libya, he would be unable to secure his release from prison due to lack of funds, potentially facing death in Libyan jails.
This ongoing wave of arrests and the hostile environment it fosters are part of a broader strategy by the Tunisian government. On May 6, following a National Security Council meeting, President Kaïs Saïed reiterated his hardline stance on immigration, labeling migrants and supportive NGOs as “traitors.” This rhetoric echoes his statements from February 2023, where he described immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa as sources of “violence and crime.”
Romdhane Ben Amor, spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), told InfoMigrants that these arrests serve as a deterrent to migrants considering moving to Tunisian cities. Furthermore, the criminalization of migrants has led to increased prison sentences for illegal entry and stay, with recent convictions highlighting a more aggressive approach by the authorities.
The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty continues to grow among migrants in Tunisia, leaving many in a state of panic, isolation, and deep apprehension about their future. This pervasive sense of insecurity is exacerbated by the unpredictable nature of the arrests, the lack of communication from authorities, and the constant threat of deportation to hostile environments.