Rédaction Africa Links 24 with satarbf
Published on 2024-03-26 10:15:24
The EU plans to provide up to 164.5 million euros over three years to the Tunisian security forces, some of which have been accused of human rights violations, much more than what has been publicly disclosed as Brussels strengthens its anti-migration campaign.
The funding comes as Europe faces political pressure to reduce the number of arrivals, leading to increased funding for countries from where people are leaving for Europe despite concerns about their treatment of migrants and asylum seekers.
Brussels promised 105 million euros of migration-related funding to Tunis in a deal signed last year, much of which has not yet been disbursed, according to sources familiar with the issue.
However, figures seen by the Financial Times show that the EU will overall spend much more on migration in various funding streams over the next three years, with about two-thirds of a planned amount of 278 million euros allocated to security and border management. The rest will fund programs such as the return of migrants to their home countries, fighting human trafficking, and protecting refugees.
EU-funded programs involving the Tunisian security forces include a training academy for the country’s national maritime guard, implemented with the German federal police.
EU funds will also pay for equipment such as radars and boats for the national guard, as well as land border posts, sources said.
Tunisian security forces have increased interceptions of boats in the Mediterranean since migrant arrivals in Italy spiked last August. Around 81,000 people were intercepted making the sea journey last year, more than double the previous year, according to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES).
Members of the Tunisian security forces have been involved in illegal detentions and widespread deportations of migrants and asylum seekers, according to European diplomats, international humanitarian staff, and non-governmental organizations.
“Since last August, the Tunisian authorities have had a new deportation mechanism, meaning all people intercepted at sea are automatically deported to Algerian and especially Libyan borders,” said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES spokesperson.
“For those deported to the Libyan borders, it ends with their capture in detention centers or prisons,” he added.
In 2023, the UN found that Libyan security forces and armed militia groups, including forces also benefitting from EU funds, may have been involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity, including imprisonment, slavery, and torture of migrants and asylum seekers. At least 7,000 people have been sent from Tunisia to the Libyan border since last summer, officials said.
EU rules prohibit the bloc from funding measures “that may lead to human rights abuses in partner countries.”
The EU Ombudsman is investigating how the bloc will ensure its funds in Tunisia are not used for human rights violations.
Despite the allegations, the EU and its member states are cautious about pressuring Tunisian authorities because they fear losing communication channels and worry that the number of migrants may increase again, causing political problems at home.
An official from the Italian government said it is important for Europe to continue engaging with Tunisian authorities to combat security threats and curb the influence of rival powers throughout the region. “We apply slight pressure, but blackmail doesn’t work,” the official said.
The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied violating migrants’ rights and stated that “people intercepted at sea or in irregular situations are treated in accordance with Tunisian national law and international commitments.”
The European Commission said it is in contact with Tunisian authorities and is “closely monitoring the situation of migrants in Tunisia and at the borders with Algeria and Libya.”
This month, the EU signed new agreements with African countries to prevent migration to Europe despite human rights concerns. It pledged 210 million euros to Mauritania, including 60 million euros for migration, and 7.4 billion euros to Egypt, with at least 200 million euros explicitly for migration measures.
In Tunisia, the EU also promised general budgetary support of 150 million euros last year separate from migration, which was disbursed this month.
Economics for Tunisia & Financial Times
Read the original article(French) on Tunisie Focus
