The European Commission has urged Tunisia to investigate allegations of sexual assaults by law enforcement officials against migrants, as the country receives European funds to manage the migration crisis. This appeal came on September 24, 2024, following reports by The Guardian detailing accusations from migrants who claimed that elements of the Tunisian National Guard committed acts of sexual violence, including rape against women migrants, which the Tunisian authorities have denied.
A spokesperson for the European Commission stated, 'When there are allegations of misconduct related to its security forces, we expect Tunisia to investigate these cases appropriately.'
Tunisia serves as a critical departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in hopes of reaching European shores. The country has agreements with the European Union that include financial aid and economic cooperation in exchange for commitments to curb migrant departures. The EU emphasizes that its funding for migration programs in Tunisia is channeled through international organizations, EU member states, and NGOs operating on the ground.
On the same day, the EU mentioned its efforts to establish a 'more organized dialogue' with partners and to manage migration based on human rights principles. A financial agreement made in July 2023 included a €105 million aid package aimed at reducing the number of migrants reaching European coasts, but relations with Tunisia have since soured.
In May, the European Commission acknowledged a 'difficult situation' following a journalistic investigation that documented how tens of thousands of migrants were detained and abandoned in the deserts of Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritania.