UN experts alarmed by treatment of migrants in Tunisia

Migrants, refugees and human trafficking victims face alarming treatment in Tunisia, United Nations experts warned Monday.

They said human rights violations were taking place during rescue operations at sea, as people try to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, and in transfers to border areas with neighbouring Algeria and Libya.

"We have received shocking reports detailing dangerous manoeuvres when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers at sea; physical violence, including beatings, threats of use of firearms; removal of engines and fuel; and capsizing of boats," the experts said in a statement.

The experts said that between January and July, 189 people were reported to have lost their lives during attempted Mediterranean crossings and 265 during interception operations at sea; a further 95 are reported missing.

"For those who are 'rescued' by the coastguards, including victims of trafficking, their situation reportedly only worsens on disembarkation at ports," the experts said.

They said they had received reports of arbitrary forcible transfers to Tunisia's borders, with excessive use of force and no access to humanitarian assistance.

"Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including children and pregnant women, are allegedly brought to the desert areas bordering with Algeria and Libya, and fired at by border guards if they attempt to return," the experts said.

The signatories included the special rapporteurs on human trafficking, contemporary racism, migrants' rights and human rights defenders.

UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council, but do not speak for the United Nations itself.

Tunisia and Libya have become key departure points for migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries, seeking better lives in Europe by risking perilous Mediterranean crossings, often in makeshift boats.

Each year, tens of thousands of people attempt to make the crossing from Tunisia, with Italy - whose island of Lampedusa is only 150 kilometres (90 miles) away - often their first port of call.

The UN's International Organization for Migration has said more than 30,309 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in the past decade, including more than 3,000 last year.

The UN experts voiced concern at a reported increase of criminal gangs involved in human trafficking, and at reports of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation, including the rape of girls as young as 10.

Tunisia's immigration management is partly financed by European funds under a July 2023 agreement.

"We are concerned that, despite these serious allegations, Tunisia continues to be considered a place of safety following search and rescue at sea," the experts said.