The Untold stories of Black African LGBTQIA Immigrants Trapped in Tunisia

Tunisia,

Officially the Republic of Tunisia, is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia’s first democratically elected president Beji Caid Essebsi died in July 2019. Following him, Kais Saied became Tunisia’s president after a landslide victory in the 2019 Tunisian presidential elections in October. On 23 October 2019, Kais Saied was sworn in as Tunisia’s new President with his term of office witnessing numerous unbelievable scandals.

During a statement on February 21, 2023, Saied called for the expulsion of all illegal immigrants, describing migration as a plot to alter Tunisia’s demographics so that it becomes more African and less Arab. This has particularly affected just black immigrants from various African countries.Saied’s remarks have since then sparked an uproar and has given rise to violent attacks on black Africans living in the country. It is however good to note that Tunisia is a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean and over the past years there has witnessed a big increase in the number of Tunisians and other Africans trying to reach Europe via this means. Arguably, it is clear that most black immigrants in Tunisia are not there to look for Jobs or better living conditions but rather seeking ways to transit to Europe where they face all sorts of inhumane treatment, torture and abuse while on transit.

After the president’s declaration many black immigrants have gone into hideouts, while there are ongoing massive arrests, no one seems to be talking about the difficulties and challenges that black LGBTQIA persons are facing over there. We got in contact with 19 of them from various African countries and their stories are too hard to tell. Majority of them complained of police brutality, destruction of their property by citizens, rape by both the population and policemen. Those of them that we have talked to said immigrants from other Western and European nations were treated differently from those of African origin. Article 230 of the Tunisian Penal Code of 1913 (largely modified in 1964) decrees imprisonment of up to three years for private acts of sodomy between consenting adults, with cross-dressing not expressly being illegal, although transgender people, along with gay people, are often accused of violating Article 226 of the national Penal Code which outlaws “outrages against public decency”.

The situation of sexual and gender minority person’s leaves much to be desired as those with whom we are in contact can not step an inch outside due to fear of being arrested, tortured or raped. Despite wide condemnation of these numerous atrocities, the situation doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

All black immigrants might be facing the same challenges, but LGBTQIA persons face particular and perilous situations based on their sexuality which is already a major challenge to live. Most of them complain that they do not want to come back home for fear as the majority of them fled due to their sexual orientation.

Transgender person’s are particularly targeted and severely tortured. According to information we were able to gather, they “claimed” that after the police arrest them, they collect money from them and still go as far as sleeping with them there by putting them at risk of being contaminated with sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis etc. They particularly wish to be supported with Nutrition, Shelter, security, medication, Clothes just to name a few.

Africa being one of the most homophobic continents in the World, and Tunisia particularly being an Arab Nation that upholds strict Anti-gay laws put LGBTQIA person’s in greater danger. People in Tunisia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are illegal. Tunisia, “authorities occasionally use [the anti-sodomy law] to detain and question persons about their sexual activities and orientation, reportedly at times based on appearance alone. This remains a challenging factor for Black LGBTQIA person’s over there caught up in this current crisis plaguing the nation and giving way to laissez-faire, disorder and citizens emoting their hate and disgust on especially black LGBTQIA immigrants.

They indeed need our Help!