EU reviews its funding to Tunisia after continued human rights violations
January 29, 2025
2 minutes
Our work has an impact. After months of pressure and reports of human rights violations, the EU is reviewing its funding to Tunisia. No more blank checks for a regime that leaves people fleeing without food and water in the desert.
The European Commission is reviewing its funding policy with Tunisia following persistent reports of serious human rights violations. Migrants are being beaten, detained or even killed by security forces funded by the EU. Future payments to Tunisia – the so-called Tunisia deal - will now depend on compliance with human rights. This is a step in the right direction. It is crucial that European support does not contribute to human rights violations. Europe must go for human migration.
Human rights violations with EU support
In July 2023, the European Union signed a migration deal with Tunisia, pledging more than €100 billion to support the Tunisian economy and public finances. Of this, €XNUMX million was specifically earmarked for ‘migration management’. The aim was to limit the transit of people on the run and asylum seekers to Europe.
However, this deal raised serious concerns about human rights violations. Migrants were rounded up by Tunisian authorities and left in the desert without water, food or shelter. Dozens of people died. Investigations showed that the vehicles used for this were donated to Tunisia by the EU.
Heartbreaking was the story of the young family that died in the desert because they were stopped by the Tunisian authorities: Matyla, her husband Mbenge and their 6-year-old daughter Marie hoped for a better life, but never got it. It was a harsh reality for many thousands of other people on the run who became victims of the ruthless Tunisian border policy funded by the EU.
A humane migration policy is possible
To denounce these abuses, 11.11.11 together with Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen in the summer of 2023 a petition against the migration deal with Tunisia. In no time we collected more than 5.000 signaturesWith this broad support, we approached State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor and continued to put pressure on policymakers in Belgium and Europe.
That pressure is now bearing fruit. The EU is linking funding to human rights, an important step in the right direction. However, many questions remain about the concrete implementation of this policy. It is crucial that the EU delivers on its promises and strives for a migration policy that is not only effective, but also respects human dignity. We will keep our finger on the pulse and continue to apply pressure to ensure that words are translated into action.
