Two boats capsized off the coast of Tunisia on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in the rescue of 54 persons. Authorities reported 14 deaths on Thursday (Mar. 9).
The National Guard claimed that the migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa but could not revealing their countries,
Notwithstanding the fact that the central Mediterranean is the most perilous migratory route, according to the International Organization for Migration, people fleeing conflict or poverty embark aboard boats from Tunisian ports bound for Europe.
“When sub-Saharans came to Tunisia, it was because of the economic and social situation they were suffering in their country, lawyer Hamida Chaieb explains. “Their main objective is to cross to Europe. Like our (Tunisian) youth who dream of a better life,” the Tunisian League for Human Rights member adds.
“Reduce irregular immigration”
Tunisian authorities have stepped up arrests of Africans without residency papers in recent weeks after President linked migrants to crimes. The comments fanned a surge in attacks targeting Black Africans.
“They (the authorities) don’t want to let us go. If it’s like that, (let) us go back to Italy. We have neither our fathers nor our mothers, if that’s the way it is let us go back (to Italy),” an Ivorian migrant says.
In Brussels, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed concern on Thursday about the president’s statements, saying they are “very worrying,” but underlined Tunisia’s role in helping prevent migrants reaching Europe.
“Tunisia is a core country for cooperation when it comes to preventing smuggling but also when it comes to readmission of Tunisian citizens that come here and are not eligible for international protection,” she told reporters.
Tunisians were among the top three nationalities — along with Egyptians and Bangladeshis — to reach Europe last year after crossing from the North African coast.
Last January, Italy’s top diplomat reiterated to his Tunisian counterpart Roma’s objective “to reduce irregular immigration”.