Title: Concerns Mount Over Tunisia’s Treatment of Migrants as EU Questions Values Amid Cooperation
Reports from Tunisia have drawn attention to the dire treatment faced by migrants in the country, prompting the European Union (EU) to express deep concerns and question its own values in light of its cooperation with Tunisia. Tunisia has become a major waystation on the deadliest migration route in the world, with displaced individuals from sub-Saharan Africa encountering racial abuse and discrimination from authorities. This has led to Tunisia transitioning from being a country of origin to a transit nation for migrants aiming to reach Europe via the central Mediterranean.
In response, the EU has decided to increase financial support for Tunisian President Kais Saied in an effort to reduce the number of people attempting the dangerous sea journey. However, this move has raised concerns about the EU compromising its claimed values. Under Saied’s regime, opposition members have been imprisoned, and racist violence against black Africans has surged. Innocent individuals are falsely accused of plotting to change the demographics of the country, echoing dangerous rhetoric from the far-right great replacement theory.
These concerns were evident during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Lampedusa, an Italian island that has seen an influx of migrants. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for European assistance, and in July, von der Leyen, Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced €105 million in EU aid to combat migration. In addition, €600 million was pledged to support Tunisia’s struggling economy.
Meloni urged for swift implementation of the agreement with Tunisia to halt the flow of migrants. However, Tunisia has faced criticism from human rights groups for abandoning migrants in desert border areas with Libya and Algeria. In July, security forces allegedly rounded up over 1,000 black Africans and left them on the Libyan border, resulting in numerous deaths. This sparked international outrage following the tragic deaths of Ivorian woman Fati Dosso and her six-year-old daughter Marie.
Critics in the European Parliament have condemned the agreement for externalizing EU border controls without properly considering human rights. The claims of upholding democratic values and opposing autocracy by von der Leyen and other EU figures appear hollow in light of Tunisia’s ongoing situation.
It is crucial to address concerns regarding Tunisia’s treatment of migrants as these developments unfold. The EU must ensure that its cooperation with Tunisia aligns with its professed values while prioritizing human rights. Striking a balance between managing migration and protecting vulnerable individuals should be at the forefront of future discussions.
