The tragedy of Djerba: solidarity with victims first

 

Tunis, October 1, 2024

The tragedy of Djerba: solidarity with victims first

At dawn on Monday (September 30th), an irregular migration boat that set off from the coast of the island of Djerba sank and resulted in 15 victims, including children and 16 missing. Search and rescue operations began after some survivors managed to reach the beach by swimming.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights:

• He pays tribute to the victims, extends his deepest condolences to their families, wishes safety to the missing, and expresses his solidarity with all the families in this human tragedy.
  
• It calls on the state and its institutions to stand in solidarity with the bereaved families in the loss of their loved ones and to avoid stigmatizing and criminalizing discourses against victims, survivors and their families.
  
• It is surprising to suffice with a brief report issued by the General Directorate of the National Guard without providing detailed and up-to-date information to all families and national public opinion and psychological and moral briefing to the survivors.
  
• Calls on the Tunisian government to reveal the figures on the frustrating crossings and the number of migrants intercepted, and to inform the national public opinion first-hand, and not only to hand them over to the Italian party, which is now publishing the figures instead of the Tunisian state institutions.
  
• Reiterates the need to dismantle migrant smuggling networks and review the ongoing cooperation paths with the European Union, which prioritize security approaches, confiscate the right of movement and adopt border closure policies in order to reduce irregular migration without comprehensive development approaches that achieve dignity and social justice.
  
• It warns of the danger of continuing with the same economic policies and the danger of frustration among large segments of Tunisian society and the absence of a horizon for dignity, freedom, employment and social justice, which deepens the creation of a repellent environment that deepens the desire to emigrate.
  

Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights