Over 900 migrants,including 260 sub-Saharan Africans,drowned off Tunisian coast in seven months

Over 900 migrants,including 260 sub-Saharan Africans,drowned off  the Tunisian coast within  seven months in 2023 (January to July).

Jihed, a researcher who has been following developments in Tunisia made the disclosure via his Twitter handle.

He said: “The horrifying numbers revealed by the #Tunisian Interior Minister underscore the deadly reality of the #European border regime. 

Over 900 #migrants,including 260 #sub_Saharan_Africans,drowned off the #Tunisian coast in the first seven months of 2023 alone.”

 From Jan 1 to July 20, Jired said 901 bodies were recovered, “a chilling tally of 26 #Tunisians, 267 “foreigners” (Sub-Saharan African), and 608 unidentified. 

These deaths are a direct result of the EU 🇪🇺’s border #externalization policies that offload border control to #Tunisia

“This surge in deaths coincides with an increase in #migrants intercepted at sea. 34,290 people, including 30,587 “foreigners” from #sub-Saharan Africa, were apprehended, indicating a harsh reality of violent border enforcement by the Tunisian Coast Guard.

 1,310 interception operations were carried out by the Tunisian Coast Guard, more than double from 2022, showing the escalating violent efforts to halt the movement of people. Meanwhile, 552 called as “organizers and mediators” were also arrested.”

Jired added that these figures are not mere statistics; “they are an appalling testament to the inhumanity of the #European border regime and its fatal consequences.

These people had lives, families, dreams – all cut short due to policies that value borders over human lives.

“The #externalization policies and violent border enforcement bring only death .Instead they push migrants towards more dangerous routes, increasing their vulnerability and risk of death. This is a flagrant violation of human rights.

It is high time we denounce the deadly European border regime and demand an end to its externalization policies in our country🇹🇳 

People’s lives are not negotiable. 

“Freedom of movement should not be a privilege,but a right everyone can exercise without risking their lives.

We must mobilize and fight for the abolition of deadly border controls, demanding safe and open passages instead.The needless loss of life must end,and it will end when we dismantle these lethal borders. #Borders_kill 

#SafePassage”