GENEVA: Migrants, refugees and human trafficking victims face alarming treatment in Tunisia, United Nations experts warned Monday.
They said human rights violations were taking place during rescue operations at sea, as people try to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, and in transfers to border areas with neighboring Algeria and Libya.
“We have received shocking reports detailing dangerous maneuvers when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers at sea; physical violence, including beatings, threats of use of firearms; removal of engines and fuel; and capsizing of boats,” the experts said in a statement.
The experts said that between January and July, 189 people were reported to have lost their lives during attempted Mediterranean crossings and 265 during interception operations at sea; a further 95 are reported missing.
“For those who are ‘rescued’ by the coast guards, including victims of trafficking, their situation reportedly only worsens on disembarkation at ports,” the experts said.
They said they had received reports of arbitrary forcible transfers to Tunisia’s borders, with excessive use of force and no access to humanitarian assistance.
“Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including children and pregnant women, are allegedly brought to the desert areas bordering with Algeria and Libya, and fired at by border guards if they attempt to return,” the experts said.
The signatories included the special rapporteurs on human trafficking, contemporary racism, migrants’ rights and human rights defenders.
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council, but do not speak for the United Nations itself.
Tunisia and Libya have become key departure points for migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries, seeking better lives in Europe by risking perilous Mediterranean crossings, often in makeshift boats.
Each year, tens of thousands of people attempt to make the crossing from Tunisia, with Italy — whose island of Lampedusa is only 150 kilometers (90 miles) away — often their first port of call.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration has said more than 30,309 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in the past decade, including more than 3,000 last year.
The UN experts voiced concern at a reported increase of criminal gangs involved in human trafficking, and at reports of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation, including the rape of girls as young as 10.
Tunisia’s immigration management is partly financed by European funds under a July 2023 agreement.
“We are concerned that, despite these serious allegations, Tunisia continues to be considered a place of safety following search and rescue at sea,” the experts said.
UN experts alarmed by treatment of migrants in Tunisia
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UN experts alarmed by treatment of migrants in Tunisia
- They said human rights violations were taking place during rescue operations at sea
- Reports have been received of arbitrary forcible transfers to Tunisia’s borders, with excessive use of force
Lebanon PM condemns Israeli airstrike on Khiam as ‘treachery’
- Israel bombs border town after Lebanese army deployed there; Mikati says attack breaches ceasefire deal
- Amnesty International demands investigation into Israeli ‘war crimes’ after deadly air raids
BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday accused Israel of “treachery” following a deadly airstrike on the border town of Khiam that came less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army began a deployment there under a ceasefire agreement.
The US brokered the truce between the Israeli army and Hezbollah last month.
Mikati said that Israeli forces resumed attacks on the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army began deploying in the Khiam and Marjeyoun areas to implement the ceasefire.
His protest came as Israeli forces targeted the town square a few hours after the Lebanese army entered the area, Hezbollah’s Al-Manar station reported.
The strategic hilltop town is less than 5 km from the border with Israel. The Israeli army occupied the area during its land operation in southern Lebanon last October.
Lebanese soldiers were positioned in five posts on Thursday after Israeli forces reportedly withdrew from Khiam earlier in the day. The army was also preparing to deploy 6,000 soldiers north of the Litani River.
Mikati said Israeli “treachery” contradicted the commitments of the US and France, who sponsored the ceasefire agreement.
The two countries must address the situation and act against Israeli aggression, he said.
“These continued violations are the responsibility of the monitoring committee tasked with supervising the implementation of the ceasefire, which is required to address what happened immediately and firmly and prevent its recurrence,” said Mikati.
In a statement, the US Central Command leader, Gen. Erik Kurilla, earlier described the Israeli pullout as an “important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and laid the foundation for continued progress.”
Kurilla arrived in Beirut on Wednesday and met Lebanese Army Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun.
In its statement, the Israeli army earlier said that its 7th Brigade had ended its mission in Khiam.
In accordance with the ceasefire agreement and in coordination with the US, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers will be deployed to the area, the Israeli army said.
The first phase of the Israeli withdrawal was accompanied by a series of Israeli violations, especially of Lebanese airspace.
Reconnaissance aircraft flying at low altitudes were seen over Beirut and its southern suburb.
Israeli warplanes were also seen over Rashaya, the western Bekaa, the Zahrani area, and the eastern sector.
Civil Defense workers continued to search for victims buried under rubble following Israel’s 64-day assault on Lebanon.
Human remains were found in a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike near the town of Maarakah.
Israeli forces continue to stop the Lebanese crossing into areas they have occupied south of the Litani River, while also destroying houses and facilities in the border area to make it uninhabitable.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s office in Beirut said he discussed the latest developments with Maj. Gen. Patrick Gaushat, chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization.
Hezbollah had appointed Berri as its representative in the negotiations.
Hezbollah MP Hussein Jashi said the party was now exercising restraint in response to Israeli violations.
“This situation will not last long, as Hezbollah fighters are determined to confront the enemy to the very end,” he said.
“Those who were able to liberate Lebanon under the most challenging circumstances — from Beirut to Sidon, Tyre, and most of the southern lands in 2000 — are capable today of liberating what remains of our land so our people can live with dignity and pride in our country and on our land.
“There is no place for occupation among us, as the time of living under occupation is over.”
Hezbollah’s reaction came as Amnesty International said on Thursday that four recent airstrikes by Israeli forces that left at least 49 people dead must be investigated as war crimes.
“Under international law, direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians, and disproportionate attacks that cause excessive incidental civilian loss are war crimes,” it said.
In a research briefing titled “The Sky Rained Missiles: Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Must Be Investigated as War Crimes,” Amnesty International claimed that Israeli forces unlawfully targeted residential buildings in several locations. These strikes occurred in the village of Al-Ain in northern Bekaa on Sept. 29, in the town of Aitou in northern Lebanon on Oct. 14, and in Baalbeck city on Oct. 21.
Israeli forces also unlawfully attacked the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Oct. 16.
“The Israeli military did not issue warnings ahead of these strikes,” the group said.
“These four attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and their willingness to flout international law,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns.
“The Lebanese government must urgently call for a special session at the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism into the alleged violations and crimes committed by all parties in the conflict.”
Blinken meets Erdogan for talks in Turkiye
- The plane touched down at 8:14 p.m.
- Blinken headed straight into talks with Erdogan
ANKARA: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed straight into talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after landing in Ankara on Thursday, a US official said.
The plane touched down at 8:14 p.m. (1714 GMT), an AFP correspondent traveling with him said. Blinken headed straight into talks with Erdogan “in the VIP lounge” at Ankara’s Esenboga airport, the US official said.
Washington’s top diplomat flew in from the Jordanian Red Sea resort of Aqaba where he kicked off a regional tour on Thursday to discuss fallout from the ouster of Syria’s Bashar Assad.
Turkiye was expected to put heavy emphasis on its security concerns following the upheaval in Syria, where it has been fighting a Kurdish-led force that Washington backs as a key player in the fight against Daesh group militants.
Before leaving Aqaba, Blinken said the role of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was “critical” to preventing a resurgence of Daesh militants in the country.
Chemical weapons watchdog warns of dangers of Syria strikes
- The director-general of OPCW Fernando Arias, said his group was "following closely" reports of strikes on military facilities
- "Such airstrikes could create a risk of contamination"
THE HAGUE: Strikes on Syrian chemical weapons sites risk contaminating and destroying valuable evidence, the head of the international watchdog warned Thursday, admitting the group did not yet know whether sites have been affected.
There has been widespread global concern about the fate of Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons since the dramatic overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
On Monday, Israel said it had struck "remaining chemical weapons or long-range missiles and rockets in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists".
The director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, said his group was "following closely" reports of strikes on military facilities.
"We do not know yet whether these strikes have affected chemical weapons related sites. Such airstrikes could create a risk of contamination," said Arias in a speech.
"Another real risk would be the destruction of valuable evidence for investigations by different independent international bodies related to past use of chemical weapons," he added.
In 2014, the OPCW set up what it called a "fact-finding mission" to investigate chemical weapons use in Syria.
This team has issued 21 reports covering 74 instances of alleged chemical weapons use, according to the OPCW.
Investigators concluded that chemical weapons were used or likely used in 20 instances.
"Additionally, we also have to consider the risk of any dangerous chemicals or equipment being lost, without any control," warned Arias in his speech.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas opens new embassy building in Vatican City
- Abbas calls on countries to recognize Palestine
- President meets Pope Francis, senior Vatican officials
LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas officially inaugurated the new building of Palestine’s Embassy in Vatican City on Thursday.
Abbas called on countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so, and to acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the news and information agency WAFA reported.
After raising the Palestinian flag, Abbas spoke of efforts to gain full UN membership and achieve greater international recognition for Palestine.
The Vatican officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 13, 2015. On June 26 of the same year, the Vatican’s Holy See and the Palestinian Authority signed a comprehensive agreement for mutual recognition.
Armenia was the last country — the 149th — to recognize Palestine, on June 21, 2024. There are Palestinian embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions in 110 countries.
The opening ceremony of the new embassy building was attended by several Palestinian Authority officials, including Ziad Abu Amr, the first deputy prime minister, and Issa Kassissieh, the Palestinian ambassador to the Vatican.
Earlier, Abbas had a private audience with Pope Francis and senior Vatican officials. He is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.
Blinken says US working to bring home US citizen found in Syria
- In media reports, the man was identified as Travis Timmerman
AQABA, Jordan: The United States is working to get a U.S. citizen found on Thursday in Syria out of the country and bring him home, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Jordan, where he held meetings to discuss the situation in Syria.
In media reports, the man was identified as Travis Timmerman. Blinken said he had no update on American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, but said the U.S. was continuing work to find him.