EU-Tunisia migration deal criticized

On the third anniversary of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed July 16, 2023, 46 human rights and humanitarian organizations released a joint statement calling on the EU and its member states to publicly denounce human rights violations in Tunisia and stop funding abusive migration control activities. The MoU provided EUR 105 million for interceptions at sea and border control, with at least EUR 65 million contracted to train and equip the Tunisia — Tunisian Coast Guard and United States — Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The organizations documented serious abuses including reckless conduct at sea, arbitrary detention, torture, sexualized violence, and collective expulsions. They also noted that Tunisian authorities have suspended UNHCR asylum activities since June 2024, cracked down on dissent, and that the EU added Tunisia to a safe countries of origin list in February 2026 despite contrary findings by UN experts and NGOs. The International — European Commission has failed to ensure compliance with EU legal obligations according to the International — European Ombudsman and International — European Court of Auditors.