Torture roads vol n°3 : The shrinking of civic space and its impact on people on the move in Tunisia

Torture Roads vol n°3: The shrinking of civic space and its impact on people on the move in Tunisia (full report - French)

Torture Roads vol n°3 : The shrinking of civic space and its impact on people on the move in Tunisia (factsheet - French)

Torture Roads vol n°3 : The shrinking of civic space and its impact on people on the move in Tunisie (full report - English)

Torture Roads vol n°3 : The shrinking of civic space and its impact on people on the move in Tunisia (factsheet - English)

The report looks at the direct short-, medium- and long-term consequences of this targeting of civil society on the human rights situation of people on the move: isolated and completely deprived of assistance, living in the shadows and on the margins of society in undignified conditions, they have no other option but to attempt a perilous crossing to Europe or to ask to return to their country of origin, thus generating recurrent cycles of migration in critical conditions and exposing thousands of men, women and children to dangerous journeys. The OMCT identifies two main areas of concern that Tunisian decision-makers and their partners should urgently address:

1. Invisible flows of criminalized people: The authorities continue to criminalize people on the move for migration related reasons, including children. The denial to access international protection leaves many people on the move in a protracted situation of irregularity and an uncertain legal status, while increasing obstacles in registering births and deaths, and confiscation of legal documents upon arrests by the authorities complicate the enjoyment of the right to identity and access to basic services.
2. A public health crisis: Health needs are exploding, with spillover effects on Tunisian society in a context where restrictions on humanitarian organizations are considerably limiting the intervention capacities of the few organizations still operating on the ground.

In line with previous reports, the report contains:

• A contextual analysis of migratory flows, through a map and quantitative and qualitative research of arrivals and departures, as well as of the profile and geographical distribution of people on the move in Tunisia;
• The updated typology of human rights violations documented between May and October 2024, with qualitative and quantitative data on violations, the profile of victims and the modus operandi;
• The legislative framework of international and national law, recalling Tunisia’s obligations to protect all individuals present on its territory, in compliance with applicable treaties and conventions, and key legal definitions such as safe country of origin, place of safety for disembarkation and others;
• A chronology of human rights violations, a chronology of regional cooperation in migration matters, and a chronology of operations at sea;
• An analysis of the typology and nature of restrictive measures against human rights defenders and members of civil society organizations working to defend and promote the rights of people on the move;
• An analysis of the general deterioration of the living conditions of people on the move, with a focus on access to international protection and legal documentation, the explosion in health needs and the continuous insecurity of tenure.

More on this topic

You might also be interested in reading Torture roads vol n°1, which covers the period July to October 2023, and Torture roads vol n°2, which covers the period November 2023 to April 2024.