EU Weighs ‘Tunisian Rwanda Plan’ for Asylum-Seekers Amid Crackdown

Tunisian Rwanda Plan – The European Union is exploring the idea of a “Tunisian Rwanda Plan” to house asylum-seekers entering Europe irregularly, mirroring the controversial UK scheme to transfer migrants to Rwanda. However, human rights groups argue Tunisia itself is becoming an increasingly unsafe destination for migrants under President Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule and crackdowns.

“The EU deal with Tunisia is designed to keep migrants and refugees out of the EU, not Tunisia itself,” said Kelly Petillo of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “None of the accords address the fact that Tunisia cannot be considered a safe country.”

Salsabil Chellali of Human Rights Watch warned that in Tunisia today, “migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees face serious abuses committed by security forces, including arbitrary arrests, detention and collective expulsion.”

Deteriorating Conditions

The situation has deteriorated rapidly for the estimated 12,000 refugees and asylum-seekers already registered with the UN in Tunisia. Lauren Seibert of Human Rights Watch stated, “While UNHCR registers them, there is inadequate humanitarian support and many are homeless and destitute. Even registered refugees have difficulty accessing work and public services.”

Mustafa Abdel Kabir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, highlighted the dire conditions in remote areas like Al Jidariyah, where “hundreds of refugees were brought this week and left alone” without facilities.

With up to 80,000 sub-Saharan migrants waiting to cross from Tunisia, according to the Heinrich Böll Foundation, images of overcrowded boats and perilous Mediterranean journeys remain commonplace.

Political Posturing

Ahead of Tunisia’s October presidential elections, experts suggest Saied is unlikely to prioritize improving conditions for migrants anytime soon. Instead, he will likely focus on the economic crisis while taking a tough stance on migration to appease public sentiment.

“From Tunisia’s perspective, collaborations must promote national interests effectively for the public,” said Uta Staschewski of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

A part of Italy’s new accord granting 12,000 residency permits to skilled Tunisians over three years may be a concession to this political calculus.

Despite Italy backing Tunisia’s rejections of a “Tunisian Rwanda Plan,” the EU’s €1 billion support package appears aimed at preventing migration through economic incentives and border controls – even as human rights concerns mount.