Tunisia has been declared an unsafe place for migrants and asylum seekers rescued at sea, especially for Black individuals. Human rights organizations have highlighted numerous violations, including Tunisia’s lack of an asylum system and the government’s crackdown on civil society and media. Tunisia’s cooperation with the European Union (EU) on migration control has drawn criticism, as it leads to serious violations of human rights, similar to the previous EU cooperation with Libya.
Disembarking rescued migrants in Tunisia exposes them to dangers, such as being unlawfully sent to Libya and Algeria, where they face inhumane treatment. The Tunisian authorities have been accused of violent actions during sea rescues, including dangerous boat interceptions and failure to assess the protection needs of individuals upon disembarkation. Tunisia’s recent establishment of a Search and Rescue Region (SRR) is seen as a tool that could further violate people’s rights, despite its original intent to safeguard lives at sea.
Human rights organizations have called on the EU and its member states to end their cooperation with Tunisia on migration control. They urge authorities not to instruct rescue NGOs or commercial ships to disembark migrants in Tunisia, where human rights are not respected. The EU’s support for Tunisia has intensified despite these abuses, with the EU promising significant financial aid in exchange for Tunisia’s role in controlling sea departures.
The pattern of externalizing border management, first seen with Libya, now appears to be extending to Tunisia, creating an environment where serious human rights violations continue unchecked. European support for such policies must end, and the focus should shift towards ensuring safety and protection for those at risk.