Forty-six humanitarian and human rights organizations have formally called on the European Union to suspend funding for Tunisian migration control, citing documented abuses against migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. The coalition alleges that EU-backed border enforcement, established under a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, has facilitated systemic human rights violations, including torture, sexual violence, and forced expulsions.
The 2023 Memorandum of Understanding and EU Funding
In July 2023, the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tunisia, aimed largely at curbing irregular maritime departures toward Europe. According to the coalition, the EU has committed EUR 105 million to migration-related projects, with at least EUR 65 million specifically earmarked to train and equip the Tunisian Coast Guard and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
Human rights groups argue this financial support makes the EU complicit in the conduct of Tunisian security forces. Reports from the United Nations and various NGOs indicate that these forces have engaged in reckless interception tactics, arbitrary detention, and the collective expulsion of migrants to desert border areas.
Documented Abuses and the Humanitarian Situation
Testimonies collected by humanitarian groups, including SOS Humanity, describe a cycle of violence facing those intercepted at sea. Marie Michel, a policy expert at the organization, stated that rescued individuals have reported torture and sexualized violence after being returned to Tunisian authorities.
The situation has deteriorated further since June 2024, when Tunisian authorities suspended the asylum-related activities of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This move has effectively removed legal pathways for protection within the country. Emma Cabrol, Euro-Mediterranean Regional Director at Avocats Sans Frontières, noted that legal aid mechanisms have seen a sharp increase in requests from migrants facing arbitrary arrest, forced evictions, and systemic discrimination.
Governance and Legal Compliance Concerns
The call for a funding freeze follows reports from the European Ombudsman and the European Court of Auditors, which questioned whether the EU’s migration cooperation aligns with its own legal safeguards. Critics point out that the same Tunisian institutions receiving EU training—the National Guard and police—are also central to the government’s broader crackdown on journalists, lawyers, and political opponents.
Despite these concerns, the EU added Tunisia to its list of "safe countries of origin" in early 2026. This designation is contested by international observers, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who argue that the current political and social climate in Tunisia does not meet the legal criteria for safety under international maritime and human rights law.
Coalition Demands for Policy Reform
The coalition of 46 organizations is urging the European Commission to shift its strategy. Their demands include:
- Immediate suspension of funding for migration control activities involving Tunisian security forces implicated in abuses.
- Public denunciation of human rights violations occurring within Tunisia.
- Establishment of clear, enforceable benchmarks that prioritize human rights over border enforcement.
Friederike Mager, Senior Coordinator for EU Advocacy at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that the EU’s current approach risks entrenching authoritarian governance. The organizations maintain that any future cooperation must be contingent on verifiable improvements in the treatment of migrants and the restoration of civil society protections.