In Tunisia, the suspension of asylum application procedures by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since June has left hundreds of migrants in limbo, stranded without legal support or access to aid. Among those affected is Eric, a 17-year-old migrant from Central Africa, who arrived in Tunisia last year with the hope of securing safety through international protection. For months, however, his asylum process has been halted, leaving him struggling on the streets.
Eric, who initially received financial assistance from the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR) to cover basic living expenses, has been without support since April. When he reaches out to the UNHCR, he receives the same response each time: “The determination of refugee status is suspended until further notice.” This indefinite pause, requested by Tunisian authorities, has left him and many others without any form of legal security.
Despite Tunisia’s Constitution recognizing the right to political asylum and the country’s ratification of the 1951 Geneva Convention, there remains no domestic legal framework to manage asylum seekers, placing these responsibilities in the hands of the UNHCR. Rights groups have long advocated for legislation that would provide greater protection and integration opportunities, especially in employment, but proposed laws remain unadopted.
The asylum suspension is just one part of Tunisia’s recent crackdown on migrant rights, with intensified restrictions on organizations that assist migrants. In May, leaders of prominent migrant advocacy groups faced police detention following accusations from President Kais Saied of receiving foreign funds. Saied’s rhetoric, condemning such groups as “mercenaries,” has forced many organizations to limit or cease their operations, further depriving migrants of vital support.
Now without assistance or a place to stay, Eric, like many others, is navigating a perilous situation. Having lost his rental home due to lack of funds, he sleeps on the streets of Tunis, in constant fear for his safety. He spends his days in cafés, simply waiting for a way forward. Increasingly desperate, he is considering moving to another country, though the path remains uncertain.
Tunisia’s halted asylum process and limited migrant aid have worsened the crisis, leaving people like Eric without legal help or basic support, trapped in uncertainty.