Families Demand Release of Jailed Pro-Migrant Activists in Tunisia

The families of ten detained Tunisian pro-migrant activists have called for their release, asserting that the activists were engaged in humanitarian efforts rather than political actions. Their arrests are linked to President Kais Saied’s crackdown on migrants, and notable cases, including those of Sherifa Riahi and Mustapha Djemali, have raised concerns about their well-being in prison.

The families of ten Tunisian pro-migrant activists, detained since May, have made a public appeal for their release. At a press conference, Romdhane Ben Amor, leader of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), emphasized that these individuals were engaged in humanitarian activities rather than political actions. He accused the government of criminalizing their efforts, which serve to support migrants and refugees, and facilitating voluntary returns through the UN’s International Organisation for Migration.

Tunisia’s strategic location as a transit hub for Africans attempting to reach Europe has intensified scrutiny. In 2023, President Kais Saied characterized “hordes of sub-Saharan migrants” as a demographic threat, which led to a crackdown on migrant supporters, resulting in the arrests of the activists. Among the relatives of detainees present at the appeal was Emna Riahi, whose daughter Sherifa was imprisoned despite the dropping of serious charges against her.

Furthermore, the situation of Mustapha Djemali, an 80-year-old refugee rights advocate, was highlighted. His daughters reported significant weight loss and a lack of medication during his time in prison. Ben Amor condemned the arrests of these activists as a means to validate the president’s anti-migrant stance and criticized the European Union and international bodies for their inaction in this matter.

The appeal for the release of jailed pro-migrant activists in Tunisia underscores the tension surrounding migration issues in the country. Advocacy for their humanitarian efforts is juxtaposed with the government’s stringent anti-migrant policies. The health concerns of notable activists illustrate the human cost of these detentions, as public outcry grows against state repression and international complicity.

Original Source: newscentral.africa