Hell for sub-Saharan migrants flooding out of Lampedusa, Tunisia

Ben Amor explains this in more detail. “On this issue, I would say that the situation is even worse than that of (dictator Zine El Adibin) Ben Ali. The president is openly xenophobic: immigrant invasion and danger ethnic change… At the same time, old obsolete laws were reinstated and those without a residence permit were prevented from working or even renting a house,” says Ben Amor. “All this also fostered an atmosphere of peace.” abuse on the side of added citizens raids of law enforcement,” he concludes.

Immigrants without options

raids It is just like the incident that took place in the city center days ago (on the same Sunday when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen went to Lampedusa, which was crowded with arrivals). sfaxport city, today’s main port epicenter between migration chaos Both living in Tunisia and Italy. “It was a big operation, police even came from the capital. They said they would ‘clean’ Beb Ejjebli Square and the square. They evacuated by force Moreover women, children“The elderly, everyone,” says Najet Zammouri, vice president of the Tunisian League for Human Rights, adding that the exact whereabouts of these people are currently unknown, but some can be found in rural areas fifty kilometers away. sfax.

“The problem is that the majority of immigrants in that square are people who are mostly stuck on the streets because they have been evicted from their homes in recent months,” Zammouri said. says. And this situation is paradoxical, because in addition the city sfax it takes a year no governorAccording to this activist, benefits traders and caused several protests from local citizens. “It is an incomprehensible situation and citizens do not know the reason for this lack of authority, but sfax today is a lawless cityand this is exacerbated by the economic crisis that the country is experiencing,” criticizes Zammouri. local criminal networks they became more sophisticated.

Beatings and humiliations

Meanwhile, it is the immigrants who pay the price. This is also evidenced by various statements released this week. Doctors Unlimited (MSF), the number of migrants who gave anonymous statements after being rescued by Geo Barents, one of the organisation’s ships, between 15 and 16 July. That is, the same days that the controversial (and currently ineffective) project was completed. agreement to stop the flow What happened between Tunisia and the European Union, and dozens of people around the world were horrified by the images? Migrants deported by the Tunisian government in the desert region Because it is close to the Libyan border die of hunger and thirst from a few.

References obtained by MSFmatching a definition extremely hostile environment to immigrants African country. “In the center of Sfax they oppress black people“Documented or undocumented,” one woman said. “Tunisia is a different world. When you walk, people spit on you. They hold their nose as if you smell bad. Animals are more respected,” said another. “I would rather die at sea than return to Tunisia. The police don’t leave us alone. “Tunisians will not leave us alone,” said another: “Everything got worse when (the President) said black people had to return to their country. “We can neither work nor breathe,” added the fourth.

cheaper trips

The result of all this is partially reflected in the data. According to actually UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)So far, 68 percent of the immigrants who came to Italy started from Tunisia, which means this country. It even surpassed Libya From this point. “It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why this trend has changed,” sources from the organization explain to this newspaper. However, “more favorable weather conditions and the reduction in travel expensesThis figure, which cost 2,000 euros per person in 2022, has now disappeared less than 500 euros (1,500 Tunisian dinars) this year,” they added.