Tunisian officials have allegedly driven and left more than 1,300 migrants to Tunisia (from Cameroon, Sudan, and other African countries) in the Libyan desert without food or water over the past few years, though it is not known for certain how long these “deportations” have been happening. The migrants in the most recent reported incident had their phones broken and identification materials taken from them. A statement from the Tunisian government denies being involved.
Among the migrants in a similar incident in 2021 were at least three pregnant women, one of whom had to give birth in the desert. Regarding this instance, the International Organization for Migration reported that this version of events was false and that the woman had given birth at a local hospital. However, video footage recorded by one of the refugees shows the mother after just giving birth.
These incidents raise many questions about the immigration policies and the welfare of refugees, specifically women refugees’ health, in Tunisia. This behavior from Tunisian officials would violate their accordance with the Geneva Convention on the rights of refugees that they signed in 1957. However, these “deportations” are reported to be secretly and frequently carried out. Moreover, this incident and other acts of violence against Black individuals in Tunisia follow remarks from Tunisian President Kais Saied (2019-present) who claims that Black migrants are interested in overpowering and altering the demographic composition of the country. You can find more information on these incidents in the articles listed below.
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/23/1195387880/rights-groups-say-tunisia-expels-migrants-into-the-desert-where-some-have-died
https://observers.france24.com/en/africa/20211007-tunisia-migrants-deported-libyan-desert