Dear President Biden,

We, the undersigned are writing with deep concern at the unfortunate events unfolding in Tunisia with regard to Black migrants who have made their way to Tunisia.The startling images of Black migrants sleeping outside, dropped off in deserted border areas with no resources, and harrowing stories of others - some not migrants but having lived in Tunisia for years, losing their jobs, homes and livelihoods overnight has caused grave concern about Tunisian leadership and specifically that of President Kais Saied.

Tunisia prides itself on being the first muslim country in the world to abolish slavery in 1846. More recently, in 2019, Tunisia’s parliament passed the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination Act which criminalizes racial discrimination in the country. Given this context, it has been especially disheartening to observe President Saied’s repeated use of racist language toward Black migrants. Moreover, the scapegoating of Black migrants to obscure his own administration’s failures sends a message to Tunisians encouraging abuse and violence against Black migrants in the country. Moreover, this trend endangers the lives of Black migrants traveling elsewhere in North Africa and spills over to Black migrants around the world - whether at the US Southern Border as was witnessed in 2021, European countries, or countries in North Africa.

This is unacceptable. It is a violation of the human rights of Black migrants and as a purported ally of the US, it violates the ideals of human dignity that the US seek to uphold around the world. We cannot speak out about racism, discrimination and violence against Black migrants at the US southern border but remain silent when Black migrants are mistreated and abused in North Africa. Our commitment to PanAfrican ideals mandates us to request the Biden administration intervene unequivocally. The Biden Administration should conduct a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations between the United States and Tunisia, assessing the extent to which they align with shared values of human rights, equality, and non-discrimination.This review should inform the future direction of diplomatic engagement, aid, and cooperation with Tunisia. Moreover, the Biden Administration should do the following:

• Vocally condemn the anti-Black rhetoric that President Kais Saied has used against migrants in the country
• Call for an immediate end to the practice of bussing Black migrants to border areas (Libya, Algeria, etc) and leaving them to fend for themselves
• Collaborate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant agencies to facilitate Humanitarian Parole and Expedited Refugee Admission for individuals impacted by the racist treatment in Tunisia. Adopt a “U4U” model, similar to the successful program for Ukrainian refugees, which can ensure that those facing immediate danger and persecution have a swift and safe pathway to protection.
• Ensure that migrants human rights are protected and that they are provided with food, water, and shelter
• Evaluate aid and technical assistance currently made available to the Tunisian government
• The Biden Administration must engage the European Union, as part of the crackdown against migrants is in response to the EU’s increasing pressure on North African countries to halt migration to Europe

As representatives of civil society we recognize the importance of the Biden Administration sending a clear signal that anti-Black racism against migrants will not be tolerated - not in the US and it should not be tolerated anywhere else in the world. Taking the aforementioned steps sends a message that the US is aligned with the values it purports to uphold and will encourage the Said administration and any others that may adopt his divisive and racist strategy to halt and change course. We stand at the ready to amplify this message around the world.

Sincerely,