Independent experts have denounced the dangers faced by migrants and refugees in Tunisia during rescue operations at sea and transfers to border areas in a report commissioned by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.

"We have received shocking reports detailing dangerous manoeuvres when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers at sea; physical violence, including beatings, threats of using firearms; removal of engines and fuel; and capsizing of boats," the experts said in a note.

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'Hundreds of deaths between January and July, including children'

They noted that, between January and July 2024, 189 people, including children, are reported to have lost their lives during crossings and 265 during interception operations at sea; 95 people are reported missing, and, in certain cases, they could have been victims of enforced disappearance or acts tantamount to enforced disappearance, concluded the experts.

"For those who are 'rescued' by the coastguards, including victims of trafficking, their situation reportedly only worsens on disembarkation at ports," wrote the experts, who were tasked with drafting the report by the UN Human Rights Council but were not speaking on behalf of the United Nations.

The experts also said the reports they received include allegations of arbitrary forcible transfers to borders with Algeria and Libya, without access to humanitarian assistance and noted they were shocked by the violence and excessive use of force denounced during these transfers.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including children and pregnant women, were allegedly taken to deserted areas at the border with Algeria and Libya and threatened by border guards. The migrants said the border guards would open fire if they attempted to return, they said.

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Allegations of rape and 'elevated levels of violence'

In the report, the four special rapporteurs and members of the working group on forced or involuntary disappearances, also expressed concern over reports according to which sub-Saharan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are "subjected to elevated levels of violence by Tunisian security forces".

In addition, authorities have also made the lives of migrants and those who help them more difficult in Tunisia, after allegations they have cracked down on civil society and human rights organizations that led to the temporary suspension of pre-registration activities and the limitation of access to basic services for migrants, they said.

They also expressed concern at a reported increase of criminal groups engaged in trafficking in persons and at reports of sexual violence, including rape, against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia.

"We have also received reports of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and of rape of women and girls as young as ten years old around border areas," the experts said.

"We are concerned that, despite these serious allegations, Tunisia continues to be considered a place of safety following search and rescue at sea, and cooperation continues following the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic and global partnership between the European Union and Tunisia, seriously undermining international human rights and international refugee law," the experts noted.

In the summer of 2023, the EU and Tunisia concluded an agreement that provided for, among other things, European aid worth 105 million euros for the fight against irregular migration.

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