Mustafa Abdel Kabir, Director of the Tunisian Observatory, criticized Libya for detaining over 50 Tunisians, including minors, and seizing vehicles. He urged both nations to resolve ongoing border issues affecting citizens. The Libyan Ministry of Interior committed to countering smuggling, while Tunisia has increased penalties leading to public discontent regarding own smuggling efforts.
Mustafa Abdel Kabir, the Director of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, has condemned the detention of over 50 Tunisians in Libya, including two minors. He highlighted that Libyan authorities had confiscated more than 25 vehicles brought into Libya, and the detained individuals are currently held in a prison located in Tripoli. He urged both Tunisian and Libyan authorities to address these ongoing issues and termed these incidents as “repeated assaults on Tunisian citizens.”
Abdel Kabir noted the mutual shortcomings in managing border crossings and implementing policies that would ease travel for individuals, stating that “ordinary people are paying the price.” In response, the Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity expressed its commitment to continuing efforts against smuggling in all forms. They intend to enforce measures aimed at preserving the national economy and enhancing public security.
In a related incident, Tunisian authorities previously sentenced a Libyan citizen to five years in prison for smuggling 150 kilograms of couscous, resulting in public outrage. This incident has led to an increase in the detention of Tunisian fuel smugglers and a subsequent tightening of anti-smuggling measures, which media in Tunisia refer to as affecting cross-border trade.
The Tunisian Observatory’s Director has drawn attention to the unjust detention of Tunisians in Libya and ongoing border management issues. With the commitment to combat smuggling by Libyan authorities, concerns persist over how these measures impact ordinary citizens. The recent sentencing of a Libyan smuggler highlights the tension surrounding cross-border trade and smuggling incidents affecting both nations.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
