Director Mustafa Abdel Kabir criticized the detention of over 50 Tunisians in Libya, including minors. He reported vehicle seizures and stressed the need for both countries to address ongoing border issues. The Libyan interior ministry is focusing on anti-smuggling efforts, following Tunisian measures against drug trafficking that sparked public backlash.
Mustafa Abdel Kabir, the Director of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, has voiced concerns over the detention of over 50 Tunisians in Libya, including two minors. He reported that Libyan authorities confiscated more than 25 vehicles belonging to Tunisians, transferring them into Libya, and that detainees are currently held in a Tripoli prison while he urged both Tunisian and Libyan authorities to resolve the “repeated assaults on Tunisian citizens.”
Abdel Kabir recognized a “shared failure” between the two nations in managing border crossings and facilitating travel for their citizens, emphasizing that it is the ordinary people who suffer as a result of these failures. He called for improved cooperation to address these ongoing challenges.
In response to the situation, the Ministry of Interior of Libya’s Government of National Unity has committed to intensifying efforts against smuggling and implementing deterrent measures aimed at safeguarding the national economy and enhancing public safety.
Previously, Tunisian authorities sentenced a Libyan citizen to five years in prison for smuggling a significant quantity of couscous, which incited considerable public outrage. This has led to an increased focus on the detention of Tunisian fuel smugglers and reinforced anti-smuggling initiatives that many local media outlets have categorized as targeting cross-border trade.
In summary, the ongoing issues between Tunisia and Libya regarding trade and security remain prevalent, with numerous Tunisians detained and vehicles confiscated. The Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights has called for government intervention to protect citizens while the Libyan authorities are striving to combat smuggling to secure the economy. The situation illustrates the complexities involved in managing border relations and trade enforcement between the two nations.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
