Departures started to rise in this country in the grip of a major economic, social and political crisis, more than ten after the Arab Spring Revolution.
Le Monde With AFP
More than 2,000 Tunisian minors have clandestinely rallied Italy since January 2022, the Tunisian and social rights forum (FTDES) said on Wednesday August 24. This NGO, which specializes in clandestine immigration files, however does not give more details on the age of these minors. A total of 10,139 Tunisians, including 498 women, have been able to reach the Italian coast since the beginning of the year, said the FTDS in its press release.
On the other hand, more than 14,700 illegal migrants, including several sub -Saharans, have been intercepted and prevented from continuing their crossing and 443 died or missing during the same period, according to the same source.
The death of an unemployed Tunisian teacher and her 4 -year -old son drowned during an attempt to classify Europe from the coasts of Monastir (East Center) on August 14, aroused the stir in Tunisia. A drama revealed by the press and confirmed Tuesday by the sea guard.
Despair, the deterioration of public services, daily exhaustion in a country where the future remains ambiguous “make the danger of the second sea for these migrants who dream of a better life for them and for their children “, estimated the FTDES. This NGO has also condemned “inhuman policies of the European Union which restrict freedom of movement”.
more lenient
Tunisia, which is going through a serious politico-economic crisis, now has 4 million poor people on nearly 12 million inhabitants.
The country has also been very divided since the coup de force, a year ago, of President Kaïs Saïed who arranged full powers pending legislative elections promised for the end of the year.
On August 19, the Ministry of the Interior announced that it had rescued, in one week, 101 migrants off Monastir. During the mid-August weekend, more than 650 candidates for exile of which hundreds of Tunisians had been intercepted by the sea guard, according to the same source. In spring and summer, thanks to more mild weather, attempts at clandestine emigration from Tunisia and Libya to Europe tend to increase.
Italy, some of which are only 200 km from the Tunisian coast, is one of the main entry points for migrants from North Africa. According to the European Agency Frontex, the central Mediterranean route was taken by more than 42,500 migrants between January and July, 44 % more than in the first seven months of 2021.