EU’s Fund to Tunisia Irretrievable Despite Allegations of Rights Violations

The EU cannot reclaim €150 million paid to Tunisia under a controversial migration and development deal, despite growing concerns about human rights violations. The North African country’s security forces, backed by EU funds, have been accused of several human rights abuses, including sexual violence against migrant women. The European Commission made the payment in March without conducting a human rights assessment, even though stricter rules were introduced in 2021 to ensure such funds are spent in ways that respect fundamental rights. The EU ombudsman is now investigating the deal’s compatibility with the bloc’s human rights obligations, with her report due in the coming weeks. The International Criminal Court (ICC) may also launch an inquiry into the abuse of sub-Saharan migrants at the hands of Tunisian forces, potentially embarrassing the EU, especially since similar concerns arose in Libya.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN