The European Union said Tuesday it expected Tunisia to investigate allegations that police have beaten and raped migrants, putting further scrutiny on an EU deal with the country to stem irregular migration.
The 27-nation bloc has struck controversial migration agreements with Tunisia and other African countries with questionable human rights records, providing funds to help them curb small-boat crossings to Europe.
In the latest of a series of investigations to spotlight alleged abuses in the region, the British newspaper The Guardian last week reported that officers from Tunisia’s national guard had committed “widespread sexual violence” against vulnerable migrant women bound for Europe.
“Tunisia is a sovereign country, so when there are any allegations of wrongdoing concerning their security forces, then of course, as partners of Tunisia, we would expect them to duly investigate these cases,” a European Commission spokeswoman told reporters.
EU funding for migration programs in Tunisia was channeled through international organizations, EU member states and NGOs working on the ground, the spokeswoman added, denying the bloc was directly supporting Tunisia’s national guard — singled out in the Guardian report.
Tunisia is one of the main launching points for boats carrying migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to seek better lives in Europe.
Most head for Italy, in particular its island of Lampedusa.
Under a 2023 agreement, Brussels has given 105 million euros ($116 million) to debt-ridden Tunis to help it curb irregular migration, in addition to 150 million euros in budgetary support.
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