Spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) Romdhane Ben Amor voiced concern about a potential an unannounced agreement between Tunisia and France to accelerate the deportation process of Tunisian migrants in irregular situation, which is, according to him “is a flagrant violation of their rights.»

In this regard, Ben Amor referred to a media statement by the French government spokesperson last week indicating that Tunisia had cooperated with France to accelerate the expulsion procedures of irregular Tunisian migrants, unlike Algeria and Morocco, which have refused to cooperate with France.

In a statement to TAP, Ben Amor stressed that the acceleration of expulsion procedures will not allow irregular migrants to take the necessary legal steps and exercise their right to appeal the expulsion decision. This unfair treatment constitutes a violation of the rights of irregular migrants, he said.

He added that cooperation between France and Tunisia in the field of irregular migration has recently experienced “a dangerous deviation.”

“France has entered a new phase in the process of expulsion of Tunisian migrants in irregular situation insofar as it has secured their transportation by plane to the Tabarka airport under a fairly strict security control,” he noted.

“This was seen during a recent operation of expulsion of about 40 to 50 irregular migrants made five days ago,” he added.

Ben Amor said that the deportation by plane to the airport of Tabarka, under security surveillance aims to carry out this process away from the eyes of the media and civil society.

The FTDES spokesperson said “France intends to expel more than 3,400 Tunisian migrants in irregular situation,» according to information collected from some official French sources.

He added: “Tunisia continues its silence and has not provided data or figures to enlighten the public opinion on this issue.

Source: Tap News Agency