According to UN experts, the human rights violations committed against migrants in Tunisia can only be described as "shocking."

A recently published report stated that Tunisian authorities had engaged in "dangerous manoeuvres when intercepting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers at sea." The report also mentioned episodes of physical violence, including beatings, threats of use of firearms, the removal of engines and fuel and the capsizing of boats.

The report, released on October 14, said that between January and July, 189 people, including children, were said to have lost their lives while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, while 265 reportedly died during interception operations at sea.

Ninety-five people have been reported missing, in some cases "victims of enforced disappearance or acts tantamount to enforced disappearance," said the report. Migrants from sub-Saharan countries are subjected to a heightened level of violence, according to the UN.

"We are appalled by the reported violence and the excessive use of force during these transfers," the UN experts said.

Once on Tunisian soil, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, including children and pregnant women, are allegedly brought to the desert areas bordering Algeria and Libya, and fired at by border guards if they attempt to return.

The report also said aid organizations were being obstructed in their work.

The declaration was signed by the UN special rapporteurs on........

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