Families of detained Tunisian pro-migrant activists are appealing for their release, emphasizing their humanitarian objectives. Romdhane Ben Amor of FTDES condemned the government’s criminalization of their actions, which aim to suppress migrants amid a climate of increasing hostility. Health issues for detainees are also reported, alongside the international community’s silence on human rights violations.
The families of pro-migrant and anti-racism activists detained in Tunisia since May have called for their release. Romdhane Ben Amor, the head of the NGO FTDES, asserted that the ten detainees had been engaged in humanitarian work rather than political activities. However, he criticized the authorities for labeling these actions as criminal, aiming to weaken migrants and pressure them into accepting ‘voluntary returns’ facilitated by the UN’s International Organization for Migration.
Tunisia serves as a significant transit point for African migrants seeking to travel to Europe in pursuit of better economic prospects. Recently, President Kais Saied characterized these migrants as “hordes of sub-Saharan migrants,” claiming they threaten to alter the nation’s demographic balance, prompting a crackdown on migrant communities and arrests of activists.
During the press conference, Emna Riahi, mother of Sherifa Riahi, former head of Terre d’Asile Tunisie, expressed her distress, urging for her daughter’s release and a fair trial after the removal of severe charges against her. Additionally, the daughters of Mustapha Djemali, an 80-year-old advocate and founder of the Tunisian Council for Refugees, reported that their father had suffered significant weight loss and had been without necessary medication while imprisoned.
Ben Amor criticized the situation, claiming that the activists were being used to validate the president’s apartheid-like rhetoric against migrants. He condemned the silence from the European Union and other international bodies regarding these issues, highlighting a troubling complicity in the injustices faced by migrants and activists alike.
In conclusion, the families of detained Tunisian activists appeal for their relatives’ release, emphasizing their humanitarian work rathert than any political agenda. The situation reflects broader concerns regarding the treatment of migrants in Tunisia amid rising political rhetoric that undermines humanitarian efforts. Urgent calls from families highlight serious health concerns for those imprisoned, alongside the need for international attention to safeguard human rights in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
