Opposition leaders in Tunisia have again appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate what they describe as a government-mounted crackdown directed at them. At a time when the European Union (EU) has talked of offering more than one billion euros to Tunisia to help curb EU-bound migration, lawyers are also finalising a request urging the ICC to examine the latest claims accusing the Tunisian authorities of abusing sub-Saharan migrants in the North African country.
Tunisia is a member of the Hague-based ICC. Just last year, the Court was asked to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations charged against the President Kais Saied‘s administration. Saied is running for re-election and a second term on 6 October.
“The new evidence shows that Black African migrants are facing brutal and heartless treatment at the hands of the Tunisian authorities. The ICC has the jurisdiction to investigate these alleged crimes against humanity and should act with the full force of international law to protect those most vulnerable,” lawyer Rodney Dixon said in a statement. “Countless migrants report similar experiences of arbitrary arrest on land or at sea followed by collective expulsion to desert regions along the border with Algeria and Libya while being beaten, mistreated, and suffering psychological abuse,” the statement adds.
Since Tunisia does not require an entry visa, it serves as a way station to Europe for many Africans. This is also true for migrants from Libya, which shares a border with Tunisia.
Allegations of crimes against migrants in Libya, including arbitrary detention, unlawful killing, enforced disappearances, torture and sexual and gender-based violence, are currently being investigated by ICC prosecutors.
