EU-Tunisia deal faces renewed criticism over human rights concerns

The controversial deal signed between the European Union and Tunisia has come under renewed scrutiny over the human rights situation in the North African country and the lack of transparency on Brussels’ side.

In a statement published on Wednesday, the European Ombudsman criticised the European Commission for failing to publish “any information” related to the risks it identified before signing the agreement in July 2023. This evaluation was done “carefully and diligently,” but fell short of the traditional human rights impact assessments (HRIA) that the watchdog prefers, as they are “made public for public scrutiny.”

“It is also impossible to overlook, in this context, the deeply disturbing reports that continue to emerge about the human rights situation in Tunisia, notably when it comes to the treatment of migrants,” the Ombudsman said, sharing the findings of her inquiry.

Tunisian authorities have been accused of conducting beatings, arbitrary detentions, collective expulsions and forced evictions against sub-Saharan Africans, some of whom have been found abandoned near the Libyan border. Meanwhile, President Kais Saied has been denounced for promoting the racist theory of the “great replacement.”

Based on this, the watchdog urges the Commission to establish “detailed criteria” that can trigger the suspension of EU funds in case violations of fundamental rights are detected in Tunisia.

In reaction, a Commission said it “takes notes” of the findings and “stands ready to consider ways of possible improvement, especially related to human rights monitoring.”

The Tunisia deal, also known as a “memorandum of understanding,” is structured around several EU-funded envelopes in thematic areas, including €150 million to support Tunisia’s wobbly economy and €105 million to improve border management. It also earmarks investments in renewable energy and digital connectivity.

The agreement was struck with the ultimate goal of curbing irregular departures of migrants towards the EU, particularly towards Italy.

Despite the criticism voiced by progressive lawmakers and humanitarian organisations, who warn Brussels has turned a blind eye to human rights abuses and empowered President Saied to blackmail the bloc, the Commission has consistently defended the deal and promoted similar arrangements with Egypt and Mauritania.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to continue the strategy in her second mandate, promising to develop a “Pact for the Mediterranean.”

Last week, von der Leyen claimed success for her efforts.

“If you look at the Central Mediterranean Route, which we have been working on intensively, overall the arrivals are now down by minus 64% in the Central Mediterranean,” she said.