The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed what it described as “malicious claims and misleading reports” regarding migration issues. This comes days after the European Parliament circulated a report accusing Tunisian police and Libyan militias of trafficking refugees.
In an official statement, the ministry reaffirmed Tunisia’s “firm commitment to humanitarian principles and full respect for international conventions safeguarding human rights and dignity in dealing with irregular migrants.”
The statement emphasised Tunisia’s balanced approach, which combines border security enforcement with adherence to international obligations. It also rejected “all forms of discrimination, hate speech, and the exploitation of migrants’ suffering for political gains.”
Tunisian authorities stressed their commitment to protecting migrants from human trafficking networks that exploit their vulnerable conditions. The ministry called for addressing the root causes of irregular migration rather than relying solely on security measures. It urged enhanced cooperation with regional and international partners to develop sustainable solutions.
This response follows discussions in the European Parliament about migration management between Tunisia and Libya. A recent EU report, based on testimonies from 30 migrants expelled from Tunisia to Libya between June 2023 and November 2024, alleges that Tunisian authorities “sell migrants at the border” and that deportation operations are linked to Libya’s human trafficking networks. The report claims migrants are detained in inhumane conditions in Libyan desert camps, where they are held for ransom or subjected to forced labour.
The report also holds the EU partly responsible, arguing that agreements between the EU, Italy, and Tunisia to curb migration from Sub-Saharan Africa indirectly contribute to abuses against migrants.
Last month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted the “significant decrease” in arrivals via the Central Mediterranean route, attributing the drop to Italy’s efforts, which she said have led to a sharp decline in departures from Tunisia and Libya.
