On November 12, 2024, Abdallah El Said, activist and president of the Enfants de la Lune association in Médenine, was taken into custody by the Tunisian Economic and Financial Investigation Unit. After a lengthy interrogation, the charges against him remain unclear but appear to be primarily linked to his humanitarian work supporting unaccompanied minors, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in the Médenine region (southern Tunisia).

However, Abdallah Said, as president, as well as two other members of the organization are still in custody under the counter-terrorism brigade. The detainees' homes and the organization's headquarters were also searched. The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders has been informed and is closely monitoring the case alongside the families of the detainees.

This event takes place in a troubling context of increasing criminalization of solidarity in Tunisia, which has intensified since May 2024. At that time, repression targeted numerous leaders and humanitarian organizations supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The arrest of Saadia Mosbah, a symbol of the anti-racist struggle in the country, remains one of the most emblematic cases. Yet numerous other activists, lawyers, journalists, and researchers – both Tunisian and international – were also arrested during the same period, marking an authoritarian drift targeting those criticizing government policies or taking part in humanitarian assistance.

This repression has been accompanied by hate campaigns and racist rhetoric, fueled by official statements depicting Sub-Saharan migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as a "threat" to Tunisian national identity. These discourses and campaigns have served to justify the forced and arbitrary displacement of people on the move, as well as collective deportations to Libya and Algeria, and the targeted arrests of those opposing these inhumane practices.

The arrest of Abdallah Said is but the latest episode of a repressive strategy targeting those defending human rights and supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

A Call to the International Community

As emphasized by the Monitoring Committee to Combat the Criminalization of Solidarity Policies, the systematic persecution of activists, journalists, civil society organizations, and people on the move represents a deliberate attempt to intimidate those who oppose the repressive policies of the Tunisian regime. This regime systematically violates the fundamental rights of citizens and activists, contrary to Tunisia's international commitments.

We believe that the security-led collaboration between the European Union, its member states, and the Tunisian state in migration matters has directly contributed to the current situation. The growing and ever-more systematic externalization of European border control - made possible through financial and bilateral agreements - make the EU directly responsible for the increasing criminalisation of the opposition and the strengthening of the police state in Tunisia.

Given these recent developments, it has become clear that Tunisia can no longer be considered a legitimate partner for political and economic agreements, nor can Tunisia be viewed as a safe country for repatriating Tunisian citizens. Additionally, Tunisia cannot be regarded as a safe place of disembarkation for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

We therefore call on Italian and European institutions to take immediate measures to demand:

The immediate release of Abdallah Said and of all individuals detained for their humanitarian and political engagements.

An end to the persecution of individuals and organizations supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Respect for human rights as defined in the international instruments signed by Tunisia, and particularly those of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.

Signing organisations

Associazione Città Sostenibile

EuroMed rights

Mem.Med: memoria mediterranea

Ya Basta! Bologna

Refugees in Libya 

BAOBAB EXPERIENCE 

Chkoun collective

Mv Louise Michel project 

Maldusa project

Potere al Popolo

Carovane Migranti

Onborders

Ongi Etorri Errefuxiatuak, Paesi Baschi

Collettivo r-esistiamo

Link (RABT) - For the Tunisian Diaspora

Rete Vesuviana Solidale (SmallAxe,YaBasta,NovaKoine)

Melting Pot Europa

Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione - ASGI

MEDITERRANEA Saving Humans

Fondazione Emmanuel- Don Francesco Tarantini per le Migrazioni e il Sud del Mondo-Ets

Associazione Cittadini del Mondo di Ferrara

Gabriella D’Agostino, Università degli Studi di Palermo

Tous Migrants

Caravana Abriendo Fronteras

WeMove Europe

Watch the Med Alarm Phone

Sea-Watch

Onorevole Marco Grimaldi, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra

Onorevole Luana Zanella, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra

Società Cooperativa Sociale Agricola di comunità Agricola Mpidusa 

iuventa-crew

Credit photo cover: CRLDHT