UN experts say migrants abused at Tunisia-Libya border

The group expressed their "serious concern" about reports that more than 7,400 people had been affected since at least June 2023 at the hands of Tunisian security forces, the Libyan state and non-state actors.

Testimonies indicated that detainees have been "beaten and abused by uniformed personnel using tasers, iron bars, dogs, and threats of gunfire" as an intimidation and punishment tactic, they said in a statement.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are said to have endured repeated searches, been humiliated and had their personal belongings seized, including mobile phones and identity papers.

They have also reportedly been denied access to proper food and medical care, while women are said to have been raped and men severely assaulted.

"We are extremely concerned about the reports of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in detention in Tunisia and in Libya, and that such violence and neglect have resulted in deaths, enforced disappearances, and that mass graves may exist near military installations in Libya," the experts said.

Men, women, including pregnant women, couples and children, some of them unaccompanied, have been treated as "commodities" and trafficked across the border in exchange for cash, hashish or other forms of payment, the experts said.

The 14 experts act under a mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Council but do not speak for the organisation.

"These allegations point to grave violations of international human rights law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and international refugee law," they said.

"We urge Tunisia and Libya to carry out prompt, independent, and impartial investigations and ensure accountability for all those responsible, as well as effective access to remedies for victims."