Tunisia’s Crackdown on Migration Leaves Stranded Migrants in Peril

In response to the growing numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, North African and European officials have increased efforts to curb human trafficking and better police borders and coastlines. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of migrants making the dangerous journey, with fewer crossing the Mediterranean so far this year compared to last year. However, the situation remains dire for the tens of thousands of migrants currently stranded in Tunisia. More than 244 migrants, mostly from outside Tunisia, have died or gone missing along the country’s Mediterranean coastline in 2024 alone, including 24 discovered recently. Additionally, following a crackdown on unauthorized migration, more than 8,200 migrants were prevented from reaching Italy in April, with the Tunisian Coast Guard having stopped more than 21,000 people from doing so throughout the year so far. As a result, managing migration to prevent chaos and despair on Italian shores has become a top priority for European leaders, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has visited Tunisia four times this year. The European Union aims to limit migration through policies like development assistance, voluntary returns, and strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries on border control. While European leaders have applauded a $1.1 billion deal with Tunisia as a model, President Kais Saied has pledged that his country will not serve as a “border guard” for Europe. An anti-discrimination activist named Saadia Mosbah, who is Black, was recently arrested as part of an investigation into the financing of her organization, Mnemty, which she founded. She claimed that this was due to her work with sub-Saharan African migrants, whom she accused of being subjected to abuse and prejudice. Her detention is just one example of the ongoing challenges facing migrants and their supporters in Tunisia. Overall, the situation for migrants in Tunisia remains precarious, with some human rights organizations warning that these measures are not effectively protecting those already stranded in the country.