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:

1. The immediate release of Abdallah Said and of all individuals detained for their humanitarian and political engagements.
2. An end to the persecution of individuals and organizations supporting migrants,  refugees and asylum seekers.
3. Respect for human rights as defined in the international instruments signed by Tunisia, and particularly those of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.

In solidarity with Abdallah Said and all those fighting for justice in Tunisia.

Let us put an end to the spiral of violations and the country’s authoritarian drift, fueled by populist, conservative, and nationalist politics in Tunisia and Europe.

Signatories:

• ARCI Bruxelles
• Associazione Cittadini del Mondo di Ferrara
• Associazione Città Sostenibile
• Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione – ASGI
• BAOBAB EXPERIENCE
• Caravana Abriendo Fronteras
• Carovane Migranti
• Chkoun collective
• Collettivo r-esistiamo
• Convenzione per i diritti nel Mediterraneo
• EuroMed Rights
• Fondazione Emmanuel – Don Francesco Tarantini per le Migrazioni e il Sud del Mondo – Ets
• Forum Lampedusa Solidale
• iuventa-crew
• LasciateCIEntrare
• Link (RABT) – For the Tunisian Diaspora
• Mai più Lager No ai CPR
• Maldusa project
• Mediterranea Saving Humans
• Melitea
• Melting Pot Europa
• Mem.Med: Memoria Mediterranea
• Migreurop
• Movimiento Migrante Mesoamericano du Mexique 
• Mv Louise Michel project
• Ongi Etorri Errefuxiatuak, Paesi Baschi
• OnBorders
• Potere al Popolo
• Refugees in Libya
• Rete Vesuviana Solidale (SmallAxe, Ya Basta, NovaKoine)
• Sea-Eye e.V.
• Sea-Watch
• Società Cooperativa Sociale Agricola di comunità Agricola Mpidusa
• The Routes Journal
• Tous Migrants
• Watch the Med Alarm Phone
• WeMove Europe
• Ya Basta! Bologna

Single people

• Chikhaoui Hazem, insegnante di filosofia e vice presidente di Amnesty International Tunisia
• Gabriella D’Agostino, Università degli Studi di Palermo
• Onorevole Luana Zanella, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra
• Onorevole Marco Grimaldi, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra