Increase in number of Tunisians seeking to leave

On 17 October the Tunisian National Guard stopped five minors from illegally crossing in to Europe onboard a ship docked at the Rades Port.

Locally known as the “el-harka” (the break) movement, there has been an increase in the number of people who have been attempting to smuggle themselves into Europe.

The five pupils were arrested and held in custody. This came days after a boat carrying Tunisian migrants sank on its way to Italy, killing all who were on board.

The event highlighted a shift in Tunisian society. Though it was previously unemployed men who made the perilous journey across the sea in hope of a better life, the victims of this boat included women and children.

Read: Tunisia has lost its independence

The number of women who are being smuggled is on the increase; making up five per cent of immigrants in 2016; while 67 per cent of all immigrants were aged between 20-30 years old.

Persistent

On 18 October at 6am, a navy unit rescued 12 illegal Tunisian immigrants who had been adrift and, according to the Ministry of National Defence, had stopped because of a fuel shortage. This coincided with news that another boat had collided with an army cruiser and all 45 people on board had drowned.

A study by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights has shown an increase in the desire to emigrate – even illegally – among large sections of Tunisian youth. This is due to increased social inequality, rising unemployment rates, increasing poverty and a lack of confidence in the political system and its ability to deal with the economic crisis, amongst numerous other reasons.