Lawyers and relatives of jailed Tunisian opposition leaders have called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the government’s recent crackdown on political opposition and the alleged abuse of Black African migrants.
This appeal follows a surge of reports detailing the inhumane treatment of migrants in the North African country, which has received financial support from the European Union to curb migration.
This marks the second time Tunisian opposition members have sought intervention from the Hague-based court. Last year, the families of seven detained politicians urged the ICC to investigate allegations of political persecution and human rights violations under the leadership of President Kais Saied.
Now, lawyers are pushing for a new investigation ahead of the October 6 elections, in which Saied seeks a second term in office.
“The new evidence shows that Black African migrants are facing brutal and heartless treatment at the hands of the Tunisian authorities,” said lawyer Rodney Dixon in a statement.
He emphasized that the ICC has jurisdiction to investigate the allegations, urging the court to act swiftly to protect vulnerable migrants.
Lawyers Push for ICC Probe Over Migrant Abuse
According to Dixon’s legal team, countless migrants have reported similar experiences of arbitrary arrests, both on land and at sea, followed by mass expulsions to desert regions near Tunisia’s borders with Algeria and Libya.
These individuals allegedly endure physical abuse, mistreatment, and psychological harm during their forced expulsions.
Many sub-Saharan Africans view Tunisia as a transit point on their journey to Europe, taking advantage of the country’s visa-free policy for several African nations. Some also enter Tunisia from neighboring Libya, which shares a porous border with Tunisia.
The ICC’s prosecution office has yet to confirm whether it received the legal team’s request. Meanwhile, the court is already conducting investigations into crimes against migrants in Libya, including arbitrary detention, unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence.
Tunisia, as a member of the ICC, is subject to the court’s jurisdiction, raising the possibility of further scrutiny from the international community.
Elyes Chaouachi, the son of imprisoned opposition leader Ghazi Chaouchi, is among those urging the ICC to take immediate action. His father is the former secretary general of the social democratic political party Attayar, and Elyes has spoken out about Tunisia’s deteriorating human rights conditions.
“In Tunisia, the pillars of democracy and human rights are under siege, as autocracy, racism, antisemitism, and hate speech rise unchecked,” Chaouachi said in a statement. “
We urge the ICC and the international community to take a stand — support humanity, uphold justice, and restore dignity. Our voices for freedom and equality must not go unheard.”
EU Funds to Curb Migration Raise Concerns
The calls for international intervention come as Tunisia continues to receive financial support from the European Union to boost its economy and improve its border security.
Last year, European leaders pledged over one billion euros to stabilize Tunisia’s teetering economy and help control the flow of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
While the EU aid package aims to reduce migration from Tunisia’s shores, the recent accusations of abuse raise concerns about whether these funds are being used to police borders or contribute to further human rights violations.
As Tunisia’s political crisis deepens ahead of the October elections, the ICC is under pressure to address the growing calls for justice from opposition leaders and human rights activists.
Whether the court will respond to the new request remains to be seen, but international attention is now firmly focused on the unfolding crisis in Tunisia.
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