Tunisia Roundup: Trafficking of immigrants, cybersecurity efforts, Sports Baccalaureate 2024
Sports Baccalaureate 2024 begins
The 2024 sports baccalaureate exams have commenced in Tunisia with 129,098 candidates undertaking physical education tests. The exams will be conducted across 254 exam centres nationwide until April 27. Minister of Sport Kamel Déguiche visited various exam centres in the capital and expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the assessments and emphasised the importance of prioritising physical education in schools. Déguiche highlighted concerns over the shortage of specialised physical education teachers in educational institutions, urging for concerted efforts to address the issue. According to Le Temps, the examination schedule includes practical and oral tests from May 16 to 29, with written exams slated for June 5 to 12, and results expected on June 25, followed by a control session and final results on July 14, 2024.
Traffickers of irregular migrants arrested
Twenty-one individuals declared wanted in Tunisia have been arrested by security units reporting to the Maritime Guard districts in Sfax, southeast of Tunis. These persons include smugglers and mediators involved in the trafficking of irregular migrants in the country, La Presse reports. Security officials seized a wanted car, and twelve iron boats and removed 1,151 tents set up by irregular migrants of different sub-Saharan nationalities. Two bodies of irregular migrants were also recovered by the team, the report further said.
Tunisia, NATO security partnership
Tunisia’s National Defense Minister Imad Mamish has met with the Chairman of NATO Military Committee Navy Lieutenant General Rob Bauer as part of efforts to strengthen its mechanisms and expand its fields. The minister acknowledged NATO’s efforts in building Tunisia’s defence capabilities with the empowerment of the Tunisian Armed Forces. According to Babnet, a local news platform, Navy Bauer also acknowledged the level of partnership between both countries and reiterated its commitment to intensify and further strengthen this cooperation.
Efforts to tackle cyberbullying
The Ministry of Women has published the contact list of Child Protection delegates in the face of rising cyber harassment incidents in the country. The Ministry announced that two children were identified as part of victims of cyberbullying. The move aims to strengthen the protection of children against the threats they could face. The ministry also emphasised the need to alert and inform the Child Protection delegate through the two toll-free numbers 1899 and 1809 or contact Child Protection delegates in case of any such incidents. The full list is published on Tunisie Numerique.
Tunisia urges international action amid Middle East tensions
Tunisia has expressed concerns over growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly condemning what it perceives as continuous violations by Israel of international legality. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tunisia emphasises the urgent need for the international community to intervene to maintain peace and security in the region. According to Le Temps, the statement also calls for an end to hostilities and the lifting of blockades against the Palestinian people, stressing the necessity of unimpeded relief aid and preventing any further escalation of conflict.
