The EU-Tunisia migrant deal – in context
The EU is shaping its external migration strategy by partnering with a country that has repeatedly shown it does not comply with fundamental EU values. Here's why it matters.
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What is the story?
Over the past two years, the European Union has pursued a controversial migration deal with Tunisia, aimed at curbing irregular migration across the Central Mediterranean. The agreement, worth up to €1 billion, was brokered in 2023 between European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian president, Kais Saied.
The deal includes direct budget support and funding for border control and migration management, with the EU positioning it as a model for future partnerships with North African countries.
The deal has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, MEPs, and even the EU Ombudsman. Reports have linked EU funding to grave abuses against sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, including arbitrary detention, desert expulsions, and violence by security forces. Investigations have shown that funds may have supported units accused of rape and torture, while civil society groups and journalists face growing repression ahead of elections.
Despite these findings, the European Commission has continued to defend the deal, resisting calls for transparency and refusing to suspend cooperation, though it has now pledged to tie future funding to human rights benchmarks.
Wider still, the Tunisia deal reflects a deeper shift in EU foreign policy—one that prioritises short-term containment and migration control over democratic values and long-term regional stability.
Why does this story matter?
It’s the blueprint for future EU migration deals:
The Tunisia agreement has become a template for similar arrangements with Egypt, Mauritania, and potentially others—shaping the EU's entire external migration strategy.
It outsources EU migration control to an autocratic regime:
The deal empowers president Kais Saied’s government, despite its escalating crackdown on migrants, opposition, civil society, and free speech.
It exposes a democratic accountability gap inside the EU:
The deal was struck without formal parliamentary oversight or full College of Commissioners approval, sparking internal dissent and criticism from MEPs.
It risks complicity in human rights abuses:
EU funds have reportedly enabled or indirectly supported migrant expulsions, violence, and even rape by Tunisian security forces, raising serious legal and moral concerns.
It shows the EU prioritising deterrence over root causes:
While framed as a partnership for stability and legal migration, the deal focuses overwhelmingly on containment, returns, and border control—often at the expense of long-term solutions or protection.
What were the main developments?
- June–July 2023: The EU announces a €1bn partnership with Tunisia, including €105m specifically for migration control—despite Tunisia’s crackdown on migrants and civil society. Violence in Sfax and expulsions to desert borders draw international alarm.
- September 2023: The European Ombudsman launches an investigation into the deal’s legality and rights safeguards. MEPs are denied entry to Tunisia, as authorities intensify repression ahead of elections.
- Late 2023–Early 2024: Multiple reports surface linking EU-funded Tunisian forces to rights abuses, including desert dumps, arbitrary arrests, and rape. The Commission insists it uses third parties and denies direct responsibility.
- March–May 2024: A political rift erupts within the European Commission itself. Commissioner Schmit reveals the deal was never discussed in college. Tunisia returns €150m in funds, calling it insulting.
- Mid–Late 2024: Despite growing criticism and damning reports, the Commission defends the deal and signals it will replicate it elsewhere. By December, it pledges to link future funding to human rights milestones—but only going forward.
- Early 2025: Amid ongoing repression in Tunisia, the EU proposes designating it a "safe country" for migrants, despite reports of torture, political detentions, and racial expulsions. MEPs accuse the EU of complicity in migrant trafficking, while the Commission pledges to tie future funding to human rights—but resists calls to suspend existing deals.
To find out more, read our reporting below, which we'll update as the story develops.
1
📅 8 May 2025
Why this story matters:
37 Tunisian lawyers and opposition figures have been given prison sentences of up to 66 years for conspiracy against state security and terrorism, for offences such as meeting with European diplomats like the French and Italian ambassadors, writes Human Rights Watch.
5 Key Developments:
- EU plans to list Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco as “safe countries” despite widespread rights abuses.
- Refugees face expulsion, detention, and violence, especially in Tunisia and Morocco.
- UN aid is collapsing due to funding cuts, leaving many without food, healthcare, or legal support.
- The “safe” label ignores weak asylum systems and rising hostility in these countries.
- EU process lacks independent oversight, raising fears of politicised decisions.
2
📅 7 May 2025
Why this story matters:
The EU Asylum Procedures Regulation, which outlines criteria for “safe country” designations, does not mandate independent, up-to-date assessments of human rights conditions. This opens the door to politicised decisions that fail to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers.
The EU Asylum Procedures Regulation, which outlines criteria for “safe country” designations, does not mandate independent, up-to-date assessments of human rights conditions. This opens the door to politicised decisions that fail to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers.
5 Key Developments:
- EU proposes listing Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco as “safe countries” to fast-track asylum rejections, despite mounting rights concerns.
- Human rights abuses continue, including expulsions, arbitrary detention, and border violence.
- UN refugee support is collapsing due to major funding cuts, leaving thousands without aid.
- The “safe” label clashes with reality, as asylum systems in these countries are weak or absent.
- EU lacks independent oversight for such designations, raising fears of politically motivated decisions.
3
📅 16 April 2025
Why this story matters:
Highlights a sharp contradiction: the EU designates Tunisia as "safe" while repression, detentions, and torture mount.
Highlights a sharp contradiction: the EU designates Tunisia as "safe" while repression, detentions, and torture mount.
5 Key Developments:
- HRW reports arrests of political opponents, journalists, and activists.
- Over 50 political prisoners held in Tunisia as of early 2025.
- Saied consolidates authoritarian rule with EU funds continuing.
- EU plans to label Tunisia a "safe country" for asylum—despite abuses.
- NGOs and MEPs demand a review of all EU-Tunisia cooperation.
4
📅 29 January 2025
Why this story matters:
A turning point in political narrative—EU accused of complicity, not just negligence, in migrant abuse and trafficking.
A turning point in political narrative—EU accused of complicity, not just negligence, in migrant abuse and trafficking.
5 Key Developments:
- MEPs launch report detailing trafficking from Tunisia to Libya.
- Saied’s Tunisia accused of racial profiling and collective expulsions.
- EU-Tunisia deal used as a model for other countries despite abuses.
- Calls to suspend deals with Tunisia and Libya gain momentum.
- US and UN reports highlight severe trafficking and xenophobia in Tunisia.
5
📅 4 December 2024
Why this story matters:
Marks a policy shift—finally linking EU migration funds to specific human rights milestones. But implementation and follow-through remain to be seen.
Marks a policy shift—finally linking EU migration funds to specific human rights milestones. But implementation and follow-through remain to be seen.
5 Key Developments:
- New conditionality announced for future Tunisia budget support.
- Ombudsman had recommended human rights impact assessments.
- Mass grave of migrants near Libya-Tunisia border cited as a red flag.
- Commission promises more transparent monitoring and independent evaluations.
- Debate continues on whether political will exists to enforce suspensions.
6
📅 29 November 2024
Why this story matters:
Shows institutional resistance to accountability, even after official findings of maladministration. Raises concerns about EU credibility.
Shows institutional resistance to accountability, even after official findings of maladministration. Raises concerns about EU credibility.
5 Key Developments:
- Commission downplays Ombudsman’s findings, says process was “well-founded.”
- Delayed response to FOIA request by nearly a year.
- Human rights abuses, including migrant dumps and arrests of aid workers, persist.
- EU denies responsibility despite indirect funding links.
- Civil society in Tunisia increasingly targeted with EU funds flowing.
7
📅 26 November 2024
Why this story matters:
Exposes serious transparency and accountability gaps at the EU level in one of its most politically sensitive external partnerships.
Exposes serious transparency and accountability gaps at the EU level in one of its most politically sensitive external partnerships.
5 Key Developments:
- Ombudsman found the Commission failed to provide records on the Tunisia deal.
- Commission initially claimed no documents existed, then revealed 13 documents.
- None of the documents covered key internal or intergovernmental exchanges.
- Ombudsman concludes there was maladministration.
- Promises of future transparency were made by incoming Commissioners.
8
📅 14 October 2024
Why this story matters:
Reveals the limits of EU influence—even with massive funding. Key partner states remain uncooperative, raising doubts about the viability of the EU’s external migration control strategy.
Reveals the limits of EU influence—even with massive funding. Key partner states remain uncooperative, raising doubts about the viability of the EU’s external migration control strategy.
5 Key Developments:
- Egypt and Tunisia have not signed key migration cooperation frameworks despite receiving EU funds.
- Tunisia returned €150m from the EU, calling it "derisory."
- Libya, divided by civil war, is becoming a bigger focus of EU migration talks.
- EU plans worth over €8bn are facing serious implementation gaps.
- EU still pursuing new deals, despite limited success in existing ones.
9
📅 24 September 2024
Why this story matters:
Serious human rights abuses, including rape by EU-funded security forces, are dismissed by the Commission—raising grave accountability concerns.
Serious human rights abuses, including rape by EU-funded security forces, are dismissed by the Commission—raising grave accountability concerns.
5 Key Developments:
- Guardian investigation reveals mass rape by national guard.
- EU says money goes via NGOs, not guards.
- Internal document confirms EU role in training/equipping.
- Vehicles used in abuses match EU tenders.
- Tunisia returns €150m, calling it “derisory.”
10
📅 13 September 2024
Why this story matters:
Despite damning evidence of abuses, the EU stands by its Tunisia partnership—even as the country prepares for a rigged election.
Despite damning evidence of abuses, the EU stands by its Tunisia partnership—even as the country prepares for a rigged election.
5 Key Developments:
- Tunisia dumping migrants in the desert.
- Nine opposition figures prosecuted ahead of vote.
- EU says funds helped media, migrants, civil society.
- NGOs report EU-backed forces behind desert expulsions.
- Tunisia joins Algeria, Libya in regional migrant crackdown.
11
📅 18 July 2024
Why this story matters:
Tunisia and Libya double down on demands for EU funding—leveraging Europe’s externalisation model for more political capital.
Tunisia and Libya double down on demands for EU funding—leveraging Europe’s externalisation model for more political capital.
5 Key Developments:
- TMMF summit: Tunisia says aid is insufficient.
- Libya claims 2.5m migrants, presses for support.
- EU-Tunisia deal cited as model.
- Libya not formally partnered, but highly active.
- UN warns of mass abuse in Libya detention centres.
12
📅 28 May 2024
Why this story matters:
Internal fractures within the Commission show how controversial and divisive the Tunisia deal has become—even among EU leadership.
Internal fractures within the Commission show how controversial and divisive the Tunisia deal has become—even among EU leadership.
5 Key Developments:
- Commissioner Schmit says deal was never discussed in college.
- Von der Leyen accused of sidelining colleagues.
- Transparency dispute escalates before EU elections.
- Commission spokesperson insists correct procedures followed.
- Schmit claims principles were ignored.
13
📅 13 March 2024
Why this story matters:
Mounting parliamentary backlash reveals a crisis of democratic accountability in EU foreign policy on migration.
Mounting parliamentary backlash reveals a crisis of democratic accountability in EU foreign policy on migration.
5 Key Developments:
- MEPs say Parliament was sidelined in €150m deal.
- Saied insulted EU by rejecting earlier €60m.
- Commission insists funding is conditional.
- Discontent spans political groups: Greens, Liberals, EPP, S&D.
- MEPs call it a “constitutional respect” issue.
14
📅 15 September 2023
Why this story matters:
The European Ombudsman opens an investigation into whether the EU is violating its own human rights commitments in its migration deal with Tunisia.
The European Ombudsman opens an investigation into whether the EU is violating its own human rights commitments in its migration deal with Tunisia.
5 Key Developments:
- Ombudsman demands clarity on EU’s rights safeguards.
- EU Commission declines to say if impact assessment was done.
- Tunisia blocked MEPs and civil society access.
- Deal lacks binding legal framework, only MoU.
- MEPs accuse Commission of bypassing Parliament.
15
📅 20 July 2023
Why this story matters:
Contextualises the EU’s Tunisia strategy as part of a decade-long effort to manage migration via containment—long before recent scandals.
Contextualises the EU’s Tunisia strategy as part of a decade-long effort to manage migration via containment—long before recent scandals.
5 Key Developments:
- 2014 EU-Tunisia mobility pact had similar aims.
- Initial €93.5m in funds through Trust Fund for Africa.
- Post-Arab Spring fears spurred containment policies.
- Recent surge led to €279m regional fund.
- EU considers Tunisia model for Egypt, Morocco.
16
📅 19 July 2023
Why this story matters:
Human Rights Watch confirms systematic abuses by Tunisian authorities—raising ethical questions about EU complicity in these practices.
Human Rights Watch confirms systematic abuses by Tunisian authorities—raising ethical questions about EU complicity in these practices.
5 Key Developments:
- HRW documents mass expulsions and abuse.
- EU aid tied to abusive coast guard and security forces.
- UN raises alarms on collective pushbacks.
- HRW says EU must share responsibility.
- MEPs criticise lack of oversight in funding.
17
📅 18 July 2023
Why this story matters:
Legal migration, a proposed alternative to irregular flows, stalls due to Schengen visa bureaucracy—undermining the EU’s own strategy.
Legal migration, a proposed alternative to irregular flows, stalls due to Schengen visa bureaucracy—undermining the EU’s own strategy.
5 Key Developments:
- Talent Partnerships target Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia.
- Only 300 Tunisians placed so far.
- Visa bottlenecks limit scale-up potential.
- Frontex and Europol cooperation with Tunisia expands.
- €15m earmarked to return 6,000 migrants from Tunisia.
18
📅 14 July 2023
Why this story matters:
Despite mounting abuses, EU leaders double down on Tunisia partnership—exposing a realpolitik strategy prioritising migration containment over rights.
Despite mounting abuses, EU leaders double down on Tunisia partnership—exposing a realpolitik strategy prioritising migration containment over rights.
5 Key Developments:
- Von der Leyen, Meloni, Rutte revisit Tunis for €1bn deal.
- €105m earmarked for sea and border patrols.
- Saied vows Tunisia won’t be Europe’s "border police."
- EU ignores migrant abuse in favour of political deal.
- Agreement still pending formal signature.
19
📅 7 July 2023
Why this story matters:
Violent anti-migrant backlash in Tunisia raises red flags about the ethics and effectiveness of EU funding regimes tied to migration control.
Violent anti-migrant backlash in Tunisia raises red flags about the ethics and effectiveness of EU funding regimes tied to migration control.
5 Key Developments:
- Murder in Sfax triggered migrant expulsions and mob violence.
- Hundreds dumped at Libya border without food or water.
- Tunisia began prosecuting citizens aiding migrants.
- Tunisia became top departure point to Europe.
- Deal with EU remains controversial amid racist rhetoric.
20
📅 12 June 2023
Why this story matters:
The EU pledged millions to Tunisia with little transparency—reviving fears of a “Turkey-style” migrant deal that trades human rights for border control.
The EU pledged millions to Tunisia with little transparency—reviving fears of a “Turkey-style” migrant deal that trades human rights for border control.
5 Key Developments:
- €105m migration funding announced, part of a €1bn package.
- Concerns raised over Tunisia’s authoritarian slide and racism.
- Tunisia downgraded to junk status by Fitch.
- EU-Tunisia agreement compared to €6bn Turkey deal.
- Details withheld pending MoU.
21
📅 28 October 2021
Why this story matters:
This leak exposed the EU’s externalisation of migration control—outsourcing border policing to authoritarian regimes, raising major questions about transparency and human rights.
This leak exposed the EU’s externalisation of migration control—outsourcing border policing to authoritarian regimes, raising major questions about transparency and human rights.
5 Key Developments:
- EU plans focused on Afghanistan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- €1bn allocated to Afghanistan under NDICI, but paused due to instability.
- Libya received €455m; new funding proposed for flexible response.
- Plans for Frontex cooperation with Morocco; Tunisia reluctant.
- Bilateral plans include boats and training for Libyan and Tunisian coastguards.
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