UN warns of reports of inhumane treatment in Tunisia of refugees rescued from the sea

Migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking face alarming treatment in Tunisia, UN experts warned on Monday (14). They said human rights violations are occurring during rescue operations at sea, as people try to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, and in transfers to border areas with Algeria and Libya.

“We received shocking reports detailing dangerous maneuvers when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers at sea; physical violence, including assaults, threats to use firearms; removal of engines and fuel; and capsized boats,” the experts said in a statement .

According to the document, between January and July, 189 people died during attempts to cross the Mediterranean and 265 during interception operations at sea; another 95 are considered missing.