By Biran Gaye
A Gambian migrant has tragically lost his life at Kilometer 22 in Sfax, Tunisia, prompting an outpouring of grief.
Refugees In Libya, a migrant-driven organisation, says the unnamed Gambian national was found on the side of the pavement Monday, June 2.
Eyewitness accounts, according to the organisation, suggest that the victim succumbed to injuries resulting from “tear gas fired by the Tunisian National Guard” during an incident.
Since early April, the police have been reportedly chasing migrants and refugees away from the open olive trees, forcing many to relocate to different places, with security forces using aggressive measures, including tear gas to maintain order.
This latest incident is part of a troubling trend, as reports indicate that the National Guard has been implicated in numerous cases resulting in civilian casualties, often with little to no accountability for their actions. Human rights advocates are speaking out against what they describe as a “pattern of violence and impunity” that could further destabilise the region.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” the organisation stated, as family members are being sought to notify them of the tragic news.
Tunisian authorities are under pressure to provide answers to these tragic incidents and demonstrate a commitment to justice, as the international community watches closely. Calls for reform and accountability within the Tunisia security forces are growing, as activists demand that the rights and lives of all individuals, regardless of nationality, be respected and protected.
In May, two protests were organised by refugees and migrants in El-Amra and Sfax in Tunisia against deadly attacks by security officers and local militias.
As the story unfolds, migrant and refugee communities continue to mourn the loss of one of their own, reflecting on the need for change and justice in the face of such grave circumstances.
