Stranded migrants confront violence and despair as Tunisia partners to keep them from Europe
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Stranded migrants confront violence and despair as Tunisia partners to keep them from Europe

Associated Press  

EL AMRA, Tunisia — For many migrants who’ve long dreamed of Europe, one of the last stops is an expanse of olive trees on North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline. Based on unofficial estimates, the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration said it believes 15,000 to 20,000 migrants are stranded in rural olive groves near the central Tunisian coastline. When police razed tents last summer in Sfax, Tunisia’s second largest city, many migrants moved to the countryside near the stretch of coastline north of the city. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said last month it was “very concerned by the increased targeting in Tunisia of migrants, mostly from south of the Sahara, and individuals and organizations working to assist them.” “We are witnessing a rise in the use of dehumanizing and racist rhetoric against Black migrants and Black Tunisians,” it said in a statement.

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History of this topic

Spain’s leader starts West Africa tour with agreements to combat people smuggling
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Spain’s leader starts West Africa tour with agreements to combat people smuggling

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s prime minister announced a series of agreements with the West African nation of Mauritania on Tuesday to stem a surge in migrants making the dangerous Atlantic journey to the Canary Islands. Speaking alongside Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in Nouakchott, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain will expand its circular migration program to Mauritanians and renew …

Stranded migrants confront violence and despair as Tunisia partners to keep them from Europe
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Stranded migrants confront violence and despair as Tunisia partners to keep them from Europe

The Hindu  

For many migrants who’ve long dreamed of Europe, one of the last stops is an expanse of olive trees on North Africa's Mediterranean coastline. When police razed tents last summer in Sfax, Tunisia's second largest city, many migrants moved to the countryside near the stretch of coastline north of the city. It’s not normal.” Passportless, Mr. Keita said he paid …

Tunisians stage anti-migrant protest as the number of stranded in transit to Europe grows
7 months ago

Tunisians stage anti-migrant protest as the number of stranded in transit to Europe grows

Associated Press  

JEBENIANA, Tunisia — Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the streets of Jebeniana on Saturday to protest the presence of sub-Saharan migrants who have found themselves stranded as the country ramps up border patrol efforts. “There is a shortage of food throughout the city of El Amra, including sugar, flour, bread and many other items.” A final stop for many who …

European leaders laud tougher migration policies but more people die on treacherous sea crossings
8 months ago

European leaders laud tougher migration policies but more people die on treacherous sea crossings

Associated Press  

RABAT, Morocco — Children dead in the English Channel. As the European Union and countries across the 27-member bloc adopt tougher measures on migrants, politicians largely focus their rhetoric on the need to police human trafficking and smuggling — rather than the human drama playing out at sea. Human rights organizations have for years warned that tougher policies and police …

Italy’s leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year
8 months ago

Italy’s leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year

Associated Press  

TUNIS, Tunisia — The head of Italy’s right-wing government acknowledged Wednesday that Tunisia cannot serve as a dumping ground for migrants, days after Tunisia’s president reaffirmed his unwillingness to let Europe outsource migration problems by sending those not welcome there to his country. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said during a visit to Tunisia — her fourth in the past year …

Italian Premier Meloni says curbing migrant arrivals from Africa is about investment, not charity
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Italian Premier Meloni says curbing migrant arrivals from Africa is about investment, not charity

Associated Press  

ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told her European Union partners Thursday that curbing migration flows from African countries has less to do with offers of charity than strong partnerships coupled with strategic investments in those nations. Meloni told reporters at a year-end news conference that last month’s deal on the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact partially improved the …

Tunisia rejects European funds and says they fall short of a deal for migration and financial aid
1 year, 2 months ago

Tunisia rejects European funds and says they fall short of a deal for migration and financial aid

Associated Press  

TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia on Monday announced it would reject an installment of funds sent by Europe to help the debt-ridden country patrol the Mediterranean Sea as migrant boat crossings spike to levels not seen in several years. Saied’s statement that Europe’s plan for the initial installment contradicted the agreement “speaks to Tunisia’s impatience and desire to speed up implementation,” …

The EU’s extractive trade policies in Tunisia contribute to migration
1 year, 2 months ago

The EU’s extractive trade policies in Tunisia contribute to migration

Al Jazeera  

If the EU really wants to address what it calls a ‘migration crisis’, it needs to rethink how it trades with the rest of the world. While it remains to be seen how this memorandum will further take shape, it can be read as a continuation of the EU’s trade policies towards its southern neighbour which have been criticised for …

Europe frets over migration; Tunisia moves refugees to departure points
1 year, 3 months ago

Europe frets over migration; Tunisia moves refugees to departure points

Al Jazeera  

Pact that promised Tunisia financial support in return for stopping migration is being debated in Europe. Al Amra, Tunisia – As European leaders met in Italy at the weekend to discuss the “migration crisis” on Lampedusa and how to limit arrivals, Tunisian police rounded up thousands of Black people from Sfax and bussed them to one of the principal departure …

Migrants face misery in Tunisia. Rights activists fear that the EU deal will make things even worse
1 year, 5 months ago

Migrants face misery in Tunisia. Rights activists fear that the EU deal will make things even worse

Associated Press  

TUNIS, Tunisia — Migrants in Tunisia’s port city of Sfax who are aiming to make Europe their new home are now sharing the burden and the blame for escalating tensions deeply tinged with racism, amid the fears of European leaders who are trying to stanch the numbers of people arriving at their shores. President Kais Saied, Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian leader, …

What is behind the EU-Tunisia deal on migration?
1 year, 5 months ago

What is behind the EU-Tunisia deal on migration?

Al Jazeera  

The number of refugees departing from Tunisia and trying to reach Europe has increased significantly in recent months. European Union leaders and the Tunisian government have signed what they call a “strategic partnership” deal that aims to combat undocumented immigration and boost economic ties between the bloc and the North African country. “This ill-judged agreement, signed despite mounting evidence of …

European Union and Tunisia announce progress in building economic and trade ties, and on migration
1 year, 5 months ago

European Union and Tunisia announce progress in building economic and trade ties, and on migration

Associated Press  

TUNIS, Tunisia — European leaders and Tunisia’s president announced progress on Sunday in the building of hoped-for closer economic and trade relations and on measures to combat the often lethal smuggling of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea. This time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte didn’t detail the full …

Tunisia and EU finalise deal on migration
1 year, 5 months ago

Tunisia and EU finalise deal on migration

Al Jazeera  

The European Union and Tunisia have signed a memorandum of understanding for a “strategic and comprehensive partnership” aimed at combatting irregular migration and boosting economic ties between the bloc and the North African country, which lies on a major route for migrants and refugees travelling to Europe. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and …

EC migration deal ignores Tunisia’s repression: Rights groups
1 year, 6 months ago

EC migration deal ignores Tunisia’s repression: Rights groups

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups are concerned the EC deal, in following its anti-migrant agenda, props up Tunisia’s authoritarianism. The European Commission’s whopping deal to resuscitate Tunisia’s economy as part of a wider effort to stem the flow of refugees to its borders has rights groups concerned that it is propping up President Kais Saied’s increasingly authoritarian government. The proposed deal would “reinforce …

European leaders hope to restore stability in Tunisia, a major source of migration
1 year, 6 months ago

European leaders hope to restore stability in Tunisia, a major source of migration

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tunisia is hosting the leaders …

EU offers Tunisia aid package, seeks tighter border control
1 year, 6 months ago

EU offers Tunisia aid package, seeks tighter border control

Al Jazeera  

The EU is considering a major financial package for the cash-strapped nation amid a growing refugee and migrant crisis. The European Union is considering offering Tunisia some 900 million euros to support its economy, plus an immediate 150 million euros in budget support once a “necessary agreement is found”, according to European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen. Along with …

‘Let us die at sea!’ Tunisia rounds up Europe-bound migrants in unprecedented numbers
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Let us die at sea!’ Tunisia rounds up Europe-bound migrants in unprecedented numbers

LA Times  

Migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, are stopped by Tunisian authorities during an attempt to get to Italy by sea. “We are ready to drown and die to improve our situation,” said a Syrian who identified himself only as Mohamed, fearful, like many migrants caught at sea, of revealing his full name. But those incentives won’t stop the recent, furious drive …

Europe risks huge migrant inflows without aid to Tunisia, Italian minister says
1 year, 9 months ago

Europe risks huge migrant inflows without aid to Tunisia, Italian minister says

Firstpost  

Bailout talks between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund have been stalled for months, with the U.S., among others, demanding far-reaching reforms from President Kais Saied to free up the cash. Milan: Europe risks seeing “tens, maybe hundreds of thousands” of sea migrants arrive on its shores from North Africa if economic aid is not granted soon to Tunisia, Italian …

Mediterranean countries push for EU solidarity on migration
1 year, 9 months ago

Mediterranean countries push for EU solidarity on migration

Associated Press  

VALLETTA, Malta — Less than a week after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy, five European Union countries on the Mediterranean Sea pushed back Saturday against their northern neighbors for not accepting asylum-seekers under a voluntary relocation initiative. The ministers responsible for migration policy in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain met in Malta’s capital, Valletta, ahead of an EU …

4 EU members say they can’t take so many migrant arrivals
2 years, 1 month ago

4 EU members say they can’t take so many migrant arrivals

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — Four Mediterranean European Union nations have issued a joint statement on a dispute over a deal for Europe to jointly help asylum-seekers. In their statement Saturday, Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus repeated their positions that they “cannot subscribe to the notion that countries of first entry are the only possible European landing spots for illegal immigrants.” They …

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