It also deplored “the inhumane politics of the European Union, which constrains the freedom of movement” of migrants.
Earlier this month, an unemployed Tunisian teacher and her four-year-old son drowned off the coast of Monastir, prompting an outpouring of national grief.
More than 650 would-be migrants, including hundreds of Tunisians, were intercepted in just one weekend earlier this month, according to the interior ministry.
Some four million people live below the poverty line in Tunisia.
Divisions have been sharpened by a power grab by President Kais Saied, who last year suspended a fractious parliament and has since ruled by decree.
Italy is a favored destination for migrants seeking to cross from North Africa to Europe as one of the closest nations. Attempted crossings usually rise during summer, when seas are calmer.