AUC Gravely concerned on expulsion of sub-Saharan Migrants in Libyan Desert: Special Rapporteur

Addis Ababa, July 11, 2023 (FBC) – Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel, the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa and Commissioner in charge of the promotion and protection of human rights in the Republic of Tunisia, expressed her deep concerned about the situation of sub-Saharan migrants deported to the Libyan desert subsequent to a roundup that followed the murder of a Tunisian citizen by migrants.

African Union Commission (AUC) in its press release has confirmed that the Special Rapporteur condemned the murders and offered condolences to the grieving family.

According to the release she also has condemned the treatment meted out to migrants, particularly the confusion over their status which led to their deportation to the Libyan desert, which amounts to cruel and inhuman treatment.

It added that the Special Rapporteur has reminded the Tunisian authorities that the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights obliges States to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the rights contained therein, this includes respect for human dignity, the security of the human person and protection against all forms of discrimination, including that based on race.

“Anyone can become a migrant at any time and that the status of regular or irregular migrant cannot deprive a person of the dignity due to him or her as a human being” the Special Rapporteur has recalled.

The Special Rapporteur has also called on the Tunisian authorities to respect the rights guaranteed by the African Charter by ensuring the protection of migrants on its soil and refraining from deporting them to the desert without any assistance.

She also invited them to develop a discourse of appeasement with the population to avoid an escalation of violence.