The Ministry of Justice said Monday it has made a toll-free number accessible to sub-Saharan African nationals living in Tunisia. From now on, sub-Saharan African nationals are invited to dial the number 80.10.18.61 in case of need. The activation of this toll-free number is part of an effort to take account of specific cases of these nationals and to facilitate their access to the legal procedures that concern them. It comes in response to the statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic to this effect. The Ministry of Justice said in a statement Monday it is in the process of publishing the main legal texts governing the status of foreigners in Tunisia and guaranteeing their rights. It should be recalled that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad has set up a 24-hour toll-free number for citizens of various African countries. Nationals of African countries are invited to dial 80.10.90.70 to answer their questions and concerns and to report any abuse or assault against them. The Ministry of the Interior has also set up another toll-free number: 80.10.11.11, in the Ministry’s central operations room. The aim is to facilitate as much as possible the access to services and the provision of the necessary information for sub-Saharan African nationals. These initiatives follow the joint statement published on March 5 by the Presidency of the Republic, the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad. That statement had announced a series of measures for sub-Saharan nationals residing in Tunisia. These measures include the issue of one-year residence permits to students from these countries, the right to regular renewal of documents within reasonable time limits and the extension of residence permits from three to six months. They also provided for facilitating the voluntary departure of those who wish to do so and strengthening the social, health and psychological support needed for them.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP)