The European Commission has distanced itself from claims that the Tunisian authorities who allegedly committed human rights abuses against migrants received EU funds, even though the case has now been referred to the ICC prosecutor.
In July 2023, the European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding to curb migration from the North African country to Europe. The deal was immediately met with opposition from EU lawmakers over concerns about human rights abuses.
In July, Tunisia’s handling of migrants came under scrutiny after authorities arrested 38 migrants following clashes with the Tunisian coastguard.
Now, just over a year after the EU and Tunisia signed the deal, a Guardian investigation published on Thursday (19 September) has revealed some of the most serious cases of human rights abuses against migrants, including cases of sexual and systematic violence.
In its investigation, the Guardian also revealed that EU funds have gone directly to forces accused of direct involvement in abuse cases, citing a document obtained by the NGO Statewatch – claims denied by an EU Commission spokesperson on Tuesday.
“EU funding for migration programmes in Tunisia are channelled via international organisations,” the spokesperson said.
Asked by Euractiv whether the Commission still trusted Tunisia to investigate any wrongdoing by its authorities despite the allegations, the spokesperson said: “As a partner of Tunisia, we would expect them to properly investigate these cases,” adding that the EU intends to set up a third-party monitoring mission in Tunisia in 2024.
Request for ICC investigation
On Tuesday (24 September), a collective of family members and Tunisian opposition figures requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate attacks on black African migrants in Tunisia.
“Our clients hope that this case will underline the seriousness of the matter with the EU and make it very clear that the EU should not be supporting those who are committing international crimes in Tunisia,” Rodney Dixon KC, the counsel representing the family members and opposition figures, told Euractiv.
The ICC prosecutor’s office has received the complaints, it told Euractiv, but added that it could not confirm whether the case would eventually be brought before the court.
However, if the EU holds up its end of the deal with Tunisia, the bloc risks a surge in crossings between Tunisia and Italy.
As part of the agreement with Tunisia, the EU has transferred €105 million for Tunisia’s migration policy, in addition to €150 million in budgetary support, AFP reported on Tuesday (24 September).
