Families and lawyers of imprisoned Tunisian opposition figures implored the International Criminal Court on Tuesday to probe alleged rights violations against migrants in the country.

In a statement, lawyer Rodney Dixon said, ‘Black African migrants are facing brutal and heartless treatment at the hands of the Tunisian authorities…Countless migrants report similar experiences of arbitrary arrest on land or at sea followed by collective expulsion to desert regions.. while being beaten, mistreated, and suffering psychological abuse’.

‘The ICC has the jurisdiction to investigate these alleged crimes against humanity and should act with the full force of international law to protect those most vulnerable’, he added.

Sub-saharan African migrants often enter the country as a springboard to travel to Europe.

Rejecting the accusations, authorities in Tunisia have insisted that their security staff operate with ‘professionalism’ and adhere to ‘international principles and standards’. Last year, Tunisia clinched a 100 million euro agreement with the EU to help it address undocumented migration.