ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunisia- The number of women being subjected to all forms of violence keeps increasing. Refugee women, who had to flee from the Middle Eastern and African countries due to conflicts, are subjected to sexually assault and rape and sometimes they are killed on their way to other countries. Tunisia is a transit for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. In an interview with NuJINHA, Tunisian feminist and human rights activist Sihem Sassi recalled that Tunisia has ratified many international conventions protecting refugees, “But it fails to protect refugees.”

‘The hate speech of the government paves the way for violence’

Pointing to the recent increasing number of refugees in Tunisia, Sihem Sassi said that the hate speech of the government against refugees, particularly Sub-Saharan Africans, paved the way for violence. “The increase in racism in the country leaves refugees vulnerable,” she said.

 “The government's failure to fulfill its responsibility has caused the collapse of the refugee policy. Refugees are fired and they cannot get healthcare services. Despite the efforts of the NGOs, the policies of the government have failed to protect refugees. In order to protect the rights of refugees, the government should exactly adhere to the conventions.”

‘Refugee women are subjected to discrimination’

Emphasizing that refugee women are subjected to discrimination, Sihem Sassi said, “Especially pregnant women have no access to health services and food.”

‘The right to life is a human right that must be protected’

Indicating that a committee was formed in Tunisia in 2022 for the implementation of Law 58 in 2017 protecting women against domestic violence, Sihem Sassi said:

“Despite Law 58, domestic violence against women has been increasing and this leads to an increase in femicide; since the beginning of 2023, 17 women have been brutally killed in Tunisia. The right to life is a human right that must be protected. When women report domestic violence against them to the police, they are not taken seriously and sent back to their home. Victims of violence face housing problems because the number of women’s shelters is insufficient.”

In her speech, Sihem Sassi called on the government to fulfill its responsibility for refugees.