Country Report Tunisia
Conclusion:
From a European perspective, Tunisia is a country of both origin and transit of migration. At the same time, it has long become a country of immigration. Tunisia has recently surpassed Libya as the main country of embarkation for people (both Tunisian and foreign nationals) attempting the sea-crossing to Italy.
This report has reconstructed the gradual involvement of Tunisia in the European migration and border regime, by summarizing the main international agreements concluded and national measures adopted from the 1990’s to present day.
The report has also provided examples of civil society initiatives (both local and international) aimed at supporting the freedom of movement, in solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia.
While the 2011 revolution introduced the freedom of association, allowing for the establishment of civil society organizations and their engagement in migration-related activities, the economic and political crisis of the last years resulted in a heavy backlash against democracy, which also affected migrants and asylum seekers, as well as the organizations supporting them.
In early 2023, a xenophobic speech by president Saïed sparked anti-migrants sentiments among the population, resulting in instances of generalized violence on black people in the following months. Many sub-Saharans had no other choice but to try to reach Italy by sea. While there was a reaction from civil society in support of the migrant population under attack, the current authoritarian drift may further restrict the room for manoeuvre of activists and solidarity groups in the country.
While Tunisia has never been a safe country for asylum seekers, recent developments show that the situation is deteriorating, and that the country is not safe for Tunisian citizens either. In this context, the number of sea-crossings and border deaths keeps growing despite the much advertised agreement between Tunisia and the EU of July 2023.
The case of Tunisia demonstrates once again that European border externalization does not reach its aim of reducing irregularized migration. It only fuels racist sentiments, exclusionary policies and inhuman practices in the EU-neighbourhood, supporting authoritarian regimes rather than solidarity, democracy and the rule of law.
| Full title | Tunisia: borders, migration, solidarity. A country report |
|---|---|
| Author | Paolo Cuttitta and Nadia Chaouch |
| Publisher | Intrasformatione |
| Year | 2023 |
| Media type | Article |
| Link | https://www.intrasformazione.com/index.php/intrasformazione/article/view/632/pdf |
| Topics | Migration Routes & Transport, European Externalization Policies & Cash Flows |
| Regions | North Africa, Mediterranean Sea |