A report from UN experts has labeled the treatment of migrants in Tunisia as “shocking,” exposing serious human rights violations. The report accuses Tunisian authorities of “dangerous maneuvers” when intercepting migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
The findings highlight brutal practices during these interceptions, including beatings, threats of firearms, and even deliberately capsizing boats by removing engines and fuel.
From January to July alone, 189 individuals, including children, are believed to have lost their lives attempting the crossing, while 265 others reportedly died during interception operations at sea. The report also reveals that 95 people remain missing, some possibly victims of “enforced disappearance.”
Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, appear to face harsher treatment. UN experts expressed their shock at the violent tactics employed, noting that “excessive use of force” has become disturbingly common during these sea interceptions.
Once returned to Tunisian soil, the ordeal continues for migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. The report details how these individuals, including pregnant women and children, are being abandoned in desert areas near the borders of Algeria and Libya. In some cases, border guards reportedly fired upon those trying to return. Aid organizations, meanwhile, face significant obstacles in their efforts to assist those in need.
UN Experts Call for Accountability Amid Growing Concerns
The declaration, signed by UN special rapporteurs on human trafficking, racism, and migrant rights, along with several human rights lawyers, paints a grim picture of Tunisia’s treatment of migrants.
While these experts are commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council, they do not represent the official stance of the United Nations. Tunisian authorities have yet to respond to the accusations, but the government has historically denied such allegations.
Despite Tunisia’s denials, human rights groups have repeatedly pointed to the country’s ongoing mistreatment of migrants. In recent years, the situation has only worsened under the leadership of President Kais Saied, who has been criticized for increasingly authoritarian behavior since taking office in 2019.
After curtailing opposition parties and media freedom, Saied has ramped up his crackdown on migrants, making inflammatory remarks that further fuel the hostile environment.
Migrants themselves have confirmed the UN’s findings. One refugee from Burkina Faso shared his harrowing experience, recounting how security authorities piloted a ship in “dangerously tight circles” around their boat as they approached the Tunisian coast. Once in a refugee camp, he said police confiscated their cell phones, food, and even blankets while destroying their temporary accommodation.
Another migrant from Guinea offered a similar account, describing how his group was repeatedly attacked. “They broke into our accommodation, stole our cellphones, our money, everything,” he said, choosing to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisal.
EU-Tunisia Pact Under Fire for Contributing to Violations
Amid these serious allegations, the European Union has called on Tunisia to investigate the treatment of migrants. So far, the Tunisian government has failed to respond to these demands.
In July 2023, the EU and Tunisia signed a migration agreement, providing Tunisia with €105 million ($113 million) in aid for border protection.
This funding supports Tunisia’s Coast Guard and covers the costs of repatriating migrants back to their countries of origin. Additionally, Tunisia received more Italian and European assistance for the years 2024 and 2025 in the form of fuel and equipment for maritime operations.
However, human rights activists argue that the EU-Tunisia deal is directly contributing to the ongoing abuses. Romdhane Ben Amor, from the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, claimed that Tunisian authorities are using the aid to clamp down on migration as part of their commitment to the EU. “The goal is to reduce the flow of migrants and show that they are upholding the terms of the pact,” he said.
With mounting international criticism, the spotlight is on Tunisia’s role in the Mediterranean migration crisis. The question now is whether the country will be held accountable for the abuses outlined in the UN’s report and whether the EU will continue its cooperation with Tunisia in the face of such damning accusations.
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