The EU refuses to publish findings from a Tunisia human rights inquiry conducted before a controversial migration deal. Learn why the EU’s transparency is under scrutiny.
EU Under Fire for Withholding Tunisia Human Rights Findings
The European Commission recently faced criticism for not releasing findings from a human rights inquiry into Tunisia. This inquiry took place shortly before the EU agreed to a controversial €150 million migration deal with Tunisia. The agreement aims to prevent migrants from entering Europe but has raised concerns over human rights abuses in Tunisia.
Why the Inquiry Matters
The EU’s agreement with Tunisia, signed in July 2023, targets reducing migration flows from North Africa to Europe. But Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian actions have worried human rights advocates. The country has faced multiple allegations of human rights violations, especially concerning sub-Saharan African migrants. Despite these serious concerns, the European Commission chose not to disclose its internal findings on Tunisia’s human rights situation.
Ombudsman Report Uncovers Hidden “Risk Management Exercise”
The EU ombudsman’s recent investigation revealed that, contrary to the Commission’s public statements, it had actually conducted a “risk management exercise” on human rights in Tunisia before signing the migration deal. However, these findings were not made public, leaving many to question the EU’s commitment to transparency.
Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly stated that the Commission should have been “more transparent” about what it knew before the deal. O’Reilly also emphasized that a full human rights impact assessment (HRIA) would have been preferable since such reports are usually published openly.
Migration Deal Linked to Abuse Allegations
Last month, a Guardian investigation disclosed cases of abuse by EU-funded security forces in Tunisia. The investigation revealed troubling allegations, including that members of Tunisia’s national guard were raping migrant women and assaulting children. Shortly after, new evidence submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) detailed widespread abuses against sub-Saharan migrants by Tunisian authorities.
These findings cast a dark shadow over the EU-Tunisia migration deal. Human rights groups and international organizations now question whether EU funding indirectly supports these abuses.
Calls for Improved Oversight and Accountability
Emily O’Reilly suggested that the European Commission should establish “concrete criteria” to determine when funding to Tunisia should be reviewed or halted due to human rights violations. She also called for stronger oversight mechanisms, allowing organizations to set up complaint channels for people affected by EU-funded projects in Tunisia.
The Commission defended its decision to conduct only an internal assessment, calling it a standard procedure with all partner nations. However, the Commission’s response left many unsatisfied, as it failed to address the growing concerns about transparency and accountability in this sensitive issue.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for the EU-Tunisia Agreement?
As Tunisia’s President Kais Saied continues to tighten his control, the situation remains tense. Saied, recently re-elected, is known for anti-migrant rhetoric, fueling fears of further abuses. In light of this, the ombudsman’s recommendations for the EU to reassess its stance on human rights in Tunisia hold significant weight. The EU now faces pressure to reconsider the deal’s structure or risk losing credibility as a human rights advocate.