Category Archives: Tunisia

by | 16 Feb 2011 · 15:00

Observations About Tunisia and Europe from Prof J. Peter Burgess

Here are some thoughtful insights about the Tunisian revolution and Europe from Prof. J. Peter Burgess’ blog (Prof. Burgess is a philosopher, political scientist and cultural historian and is currently Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), where he leads the Security Programme):

“A completely unique conjuncture of events has brought a new wave of undocumented migration to Europe and with it a new wave of principled challenges to European responses to it.  There is widespread awareness in Europe and elsewhere of the tidal change set off by the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia. Now overshadowed by hyper-mediatized events in Egypt, the ousting of Tunisia’s longstanding president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali on January 14 was in some ways more decisive and dramatic than events in Egypt, though less networked. …  Yet while the mass manifestations of democratic aspirations in Egypt lead Euro-Americans to wipe a tear of self-affirmation, the democratic aspirations of Tunisians has quickly morphed into a security threat to Europe. Built on lofty principles, the European Union talks the talk, and is once again called upon to walk the walk of migrant and human rights. …”

Click here for the full post.

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by | 16 Feb 2011 · 06:49

Italy and Tunisia Reach Agreement on Operational Cooperation – Migration Flow May Be Slowing

Tunisia’s Interim PM Mohamed Ghannouchi and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reached an agreement Monday evening to establish what Tunisie Afrique Press news service describes as “operational co-operation to stop the flow of illegal immigration.”  The agreement includes “providing the Tunisian army with advanced technology equipment , a radar network for monitoring and patrol boats to be operated by the Tunisians.”

Even before this agreement was announced on Tuesday, Tunisia has been taking further steps to secure its ports and coast.  There are some media reports that the migrant flow is slowing.  It is unclear whether this is due to Tunisia’s efforts or due to the reported bad sea conditions which may be discouraging boats from sailing.

Click here, here, and here for articles. (EN)

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by | 16 Feb 2011 · 06:22

Frontex Receives Request for Assistance from Italy (finally)

After several days of inconsistent public statements by Italian officials, according to a statement on the Frontex web site “[t]he Italian Government [on 15 February] requested assistance in strengthening the surveillance of the EU’s external borders in the form of a Joint Operation. In addition, Italy requested a targeted risk analysis on the possible future scenarios of increased migratory pressure in the region in the light of recent political developments in North Africa and the possibility of the opening up of a further migratory front in the Central Mediterranean area. … In the current situation, the Agency foresees its main role as coordinating border guards from among the Member States, particularly with regard to second-line experts in the screening and debriefing of irregular migrants as well as in coordinating an appropriate operational response to the humanitarian needs in the area. In addition, the Agency is investigating the most optimal means by which to adapt a range of technical assets engaged in Sea Border Operations in the Mediterranean to the needs of the Italian authorities.…”

Click here for full statement.

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by | 16 Feb 2011 · 05:47

Une fuite en masse sans precedent (Le Temps, la Tunisie)

Une opinion de M. Naceur BOUABID, un journaliste tunisien (Le Temps):

“Emigration clandestine – Une fuite en masse sans precedent.  Quelques jours après l’avènement de la révolution héroïque du peuple tunisien, le phénomène de l’émigration clandestine refait surface et reprend le devant de la scène. De jour en jour, ce phénomène s’amplifie prenant des proportions réellement inquiétantes. Des centaines de jeunes, profitant de l’instabilité sécuritaire prévalant se ruent sur la ville de Zarzis, point de départ des premiers harragas, dans l’espoir de tenter leur chance….

Ces centaines de candidats à l’émigration clandestine, originaires de la région et d’ailleurs, en majorité à la fleur de l’âge, sont partout dans la ville, dans les cafés, dans la gare centrale, ou à la poste, qui trouve d’ailleurs des difficultés à satisfaire toutes les demandes de retrait d’argent transféré de l’étranger par un proche ou un parent  pour couvrir les frais d’acheminement jusqu’à l’île italienne de Lampedusa, fixés à 2000 dinars par ces marchands d’hommes sans scrupules que sont les passeurs….

Les images diffusées à répétition samedi dernier  par la télévision publique italienne (RAI 1) montrant  cette longue file de jeunes tunisiens la tête basse venant de débarquer à Lampedusa  et transportés vers des centres d’identification, ne sont pas pour nous égayer ni pour nous remplir de fierté….”

Cliquez ici pour l’article.

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by | 16 Feb 2011 · 05:37

Video of Yesterday’s EP Plenary Session Addressing Common EU Asylum System and the Italian Migration Emergency

Of possible interest to a few, here are two links to the portions of yesterday’s plenary session of the European Parliament where the Common EU Asylum System and the migration emergency in Italy were discussed by a few MEPs and Commissioner Malmström.  As you can see from my screen shot below of the debate regarding the migration emergency, very few MEPs were in attendance.

Click here (Common EU Asylum System) and here (migration emergency) for link to the BBC’s Democracy Live site with the video.

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by | 15 Feb 2011 · 17:15

Text of Malmström’s Speech to EP Plenary Session

Commissioner Malmström spoke during the EP’s plenary session earlier this afternoon regarding the migration situation in Italy.  Click here for the text of her speech.

 

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by | 15 Feb 2011 · 07:03

Frontex: No Formal Request for Assistance Has Been Made by Italy

Frontex posted a statement on its web site on Monday saying that it is sending a fact-finding team to Italy “to liaise with local authorities and monitor the situation on the ground” but that “[a]s of Monday February 14, Frontex has not received a formal request for assistance from the Italian Government, however, the Warsaw HQ is ready to act if necessary and is preparing an appropriate operational response in the event of it being requested.”

Commissioner Malmström reiterated on her blog that as of yesterday “Italy has not made a formal request for assistance, but of course we are looking at how we can assist both in a humanitarian capacity and practically with the screening of potential refugees (so far it does not seem that any of the Tunisians who have come to Italy have asked for asylum) and with their return.” (“Fortfarande har Italien inte kommit med någon formell begäran om hjälp men vi tittar förstås på hur vi skall kunna bistå både humanitärt, praktiskt med screening av eventuella flyktingar (hittills verkar det inte som om någon av de tuniseier som kommit till Italien har begärt asyl) och med återvändande.”)

Click here for the Frontex statement and here for Malmström’s blog.

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by | 15 Feb 2011 · 06:42

EP Plenary Session on 15 Feb Will Consider the Question of “Immediate EU measures in support of Italy and other MS affected by exceptional migratory flows”

The agenda for the Tuesday, 15 February, plenary session of the European Parliament will include the following two items:

  • State of European asylum system, after the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights – Commission statement [2011/2579(RSP)]
  • Immediate EU measures in support of Italy and other Member States affected by exceptional migratory flows – Commission statement [2011/2582(RSP)]

These agenda items are scheduled to be considered at 16:00 or at the end of the preceding debate.

Click here for agenda.

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 20:18

Italy and Malta Call for Extraordinary Meeting of EU Council to Discuss Mediterranean Migration Emergency

Italy has requested an extraordinary meeting of the Council of EU Heads of State to discuss the migration situation in Italy.  According to the EU Observer, “Hungarian [EU Presidency] sources told EUobserver that Budapest ‘will do all it can to accommodate the Italians,’ but the timing is tight, and it is far from certain whether other EU member states will view the situation the same way as Rome.”  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the EU justice and home affairs ministers who would ordinarily consider the situation and Italy’s requests for assistance is scheduled for 24-25 February.

Mario Mauro, MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, has also called upon Herman Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso, and EP President Jerzy Buzek to convene a meeting of the EU Heads of State within the next few days.  Mauro’s press release describes the situation as “an epic emergency comparable in intensity and scale to the fall of the Soviet Bloc in 1989” and further says that “[w]hat is happening in the Maghreb countries has to fully put into question the weakness of the EU Mediterranean Strategy. The European Commission’s solidarity initiatives or parliamentary debates will not be enough, nor will the prompt use of FRONTEX instruments. We must realise that history is making us face a challenge that has to be tackled with the same determination and the same resources used in recent years to stabilise Eastern European countries. Southern European countries should not be left alone to deal with this urgency.”

In the meantime, the Times of Malta reports that Tunisian security forces are expanding their efforts to secure the departure points in Tunisia.

Click here for MEP Mauro’s Press Release.

Click here and here for articles. (EN)

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 15:34

Statement by PACE President Çavusoglu Regarding the Arrivals in Lampedusa

PACE President Mevlüt Çavusoglu released a statement today concerning the arrivals in Lampedusa and elsewhere in Italy and called for the proper treatment of those who are arriving, including granting of international protection where appropriate, and asking that there be no mass expulsions.  The statement also said that “it is also absolutely necessary that Europe share the responsibility for these people. Today it is Italy taking the brunt. Tomorrow it could be Malta, next week it could be Greece, in a year Turkey. All of Europe is concerned. In this context, the EU Agency Frontex has an important role to play, but it must abide by all the maritime and human rights provisions applying to rescue and interception at sea.”

The statement also referenced PACE Resolution 1637 (2008), “Europe’s boat people: mixed migration flows by sea into southern Europe” whose provisions include the following:

“9. The Assembly calls on Mediterranean member states of the Council of Europe receiving mixed flows of irregular migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to:

9.1. comply fully with and, when applicable, implement international and regional human rights law, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5), international refugee law, and European Union legislation, including Council Directives 2003/9/EC (laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers), 2004/83/EC (“refugee qualification directive”) and 2005/85/EC (“refugee procedures directive”);

9.2. comply fully with international maritime obligations on search and rescue, and examine fully any allegations of breaches of these obligations, including allegations of boats being refused assistance and being “pushed back”;

9.3. progressively proscribe administrative detention of irregular migrants and asylum seekers, drawing a clear distinction between the two groups, and in the meantime allow detention only if it is absolutely necessary to prevent unauthorised entry into the country or to ensure deportation or extradition, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights; [***]

Click here for Statement.

Click here for PACE Resolution 1637 (2008).

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 15:06

Frattini Calls for Naval Patrols and Possible Blockade of Tunisian Coast

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has called for naval or coast guard patrols along the coast of Tunisia and a possible blockade of Tunisia in order to prevent the reoccurrence of the events of August 1991 when thousands of Albanians reached Italian territory by sea after the collapse of the Albanian dictatorship.  (While the first wave of Albanians in March 1991 were largely welcomed by Italy, the second wave of 15,000 Albanians in August 1991 were not welcomed and were detained by Italian authorities.)

During a press conference earlier today in Syria, Frattini said that “until now the mechanism of patrolling the coast of North Africa worked and we want to restore the mechanism that up to a month ago had reduced illegal immigration to zero.” Italy is ready to offer “tools” to help land and naval patrols in Tunisia.  Italy can offer much to Tunisia, from “logistical support in terms of equipping the police forces, including the provision of important tools, both naval and land, to patrol the coast of Tunisia.”  (“Fin’ora il meccanismo dei pattugliamenti delle coste nord africane ha funzionato e vogliamo ripristinare quel meccanismo che fino ad un mese fa aveva portato a zero l’immigrazione clandestina”. L’Italia ha pronti “strumenti” navali e terrestri per aiutare la Tunisia nel pattugliamento . L’Italia può offrire molto alla Tunisia, a partire da “un aiuto logistico in termini di equipaggiamento delle forze di polizia, ivi compresa la messa a disposizione di strumenti importanti, sia navali sia terrestri, per il pattugliamento della costa tunisina.’’)

Click here (IT) and here (EN) for posts from the Italian Foreign Ministry

Click here (EN) for article.

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 06:22

Over 4000 Migrants Reach Italy – Humanitarian Emergency Declared

Over 4000 migrants have now arrived in Italy from Tunisia.  The Italian government has declared a humanitarian emergency.  Tunisian security forces have reportedly secured the Tunisian port of Zarzis from which many of the migrant boats have departed, but it is not clear whether this and other efforts that are being taken by the new Tunisian government will have an immediate effect on the flow of migrants.

Click here, (EN) here (EN) , and here (EN) , and here (IT)  for articles.

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 04:08

Malmström Receives Conflicting Information From Italian Government Regarding Need for EU Assistance

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström yesterday described different statements that have been made to her and her staff by Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni.  Writing on her blog, Malmström said that she and her staff have had intensive contacts with the Italian Government over the weekend and that the Interior Minister and others said EU assistance was not needed, but that assistance may be needed later in the coming week.  In light of these statements, Malmström expressed her surprise at seeing the Interior Minister’s comments in the media on Sunday where he said he is annoyed with the lack of support from the EU.  (“Così il ministro dell’Interno Roberto Maroni lancia il suo j’accuse:  “Siamo soli, l’Europa non sta facendo nulla”, dice intervistato dal TG5.”)  Malmström speculated that in light of Sunday’s large anti-Berlusconi demonstrations, perhaps the Italian government is simply happy to blame Brussels for something.  Malmström said that tomorrow she will be receiving reports from Frontex and EASO about the situation.

Click here (SV) for Malmström’s blog post.

Click here (IT) for article.

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by | 14 Feb 2011 · 03:26

Tunisia Categorically Rejects Maroni’s Call for Deployment of Italian Police in Tunisia

The Tunisian Foreign Ministry on Sunday responded to Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni’s rather unusual call for the deployment of Italian police in Tunisia for the purpose of controlling illegal departures from Tunisia.  Not surprisingly, the Tunisian statement expressed shock at the Italian suggestion and categorically rejected it:  “As much as Tunisia is strongly committed to preserving and strengthening its excellent relationship of friendship and cooperation with Italy,  Tunisia must also express its shock with Italy’s position and categorically rejects any interference with its internal affairs or efforts to undermine its sovereignty.” (“Autant la Tunisie est fortement attachée à préserver les excellentes relations d’amitié et de coopération établies avec l’Italie et à les promouvoir davantage, autant elle exprime son étonnement face à cette position et affirme son rejet catégorique de toute ingérence dans ses affaires intérieures ou de porter atteinte à sa souveraineté.”)

The statement also said that Tunisia reaffirmed its intent to cooperate on matters of irregular immigration and that this cooperation would be based on respect for human rights and dignity.  (“La Tunisie, ajoute le communiqué, réitère sa disposition à coopérer avec les pays frères afin d’identifier les solutions idoines au phénomène de l’émigration clandestine, fondées sur le respect des droits et de la dignité humaine, et sur le principe du développement solidaire.”)

According to Tunisian newspapers, Tunisian authorities have arrested large numbers of Tunisians attempting to leave Tunisia by boat.  Tunisian media also suggests that human smugglers have taken advantage of the unstable conditions in Tunisia to organise and facilitate the thousands of departures that have occurred in recent days.

Click here (AR), here (AR), here (FR), or here (EN) for articles.

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by | 12 Feb 2011 · 06:00

Italy Requests Urgent Deployment of Frontex Patrols to Coast of Tunisia

Italy on Friday requested an urgent meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council to address the immigration situation that is developing with Tunisia and the arrivals in Italy of over 2000 Tunisians over the past two days.  Interior Minister Maroni said that the bilateral cooperation agreement between Italy and Tunisia that has in the past controlled departures from Tunisia is not being implemented due to the crisis within Tunisia. (“Il problema è che l’accordo bilaterale che abbiamo con la Tunisia che ha permesso finora di gestire in modo efficace l’immigrazione clandestina, non viene attuato da Tunisi per la situazione di crisi. C’è una incapacità di fronteggiare la situazione da parte dell’autorità tunisina”.)

Click here (IT), here (IT), and here (EN) for articles.

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