Tunisian opposition families say EU aid will not

Global Courant

The European Union this month offered Tunisia a €105 million ($114.5 million) package to help the country deal with a major surge in outgoing migrants.

Families of imprisoned Tunisian opposition politicians have rejected an aid package offered by the European Union to Tunis, warning the money would not help the North African country halt migrant departures.

Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of imprisoned opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, said at a press conference on Monday with other children of imprisoned figures that the deals the EU is making with President Kais Saied’s government would only serve to support his regime, which she accused of human rights violations.

“Kais Saied has caused these problems. It is the state of multiple crises and desperation in Tunisia that fuels the migrations,” she said.

Saied closed parliament, sacked the government in July 2021 and went to rule by decree, saying these changes were necessary to save the country from corruption. Critics called his actions a coup.

In February 2023, the president accused some detained politicians and opposition critics of being responsible for price increases and food shortages, and of wanting to fuel a social crisis.

The EU this month offered Tunisia a €105 million ($114.5 million) package to help the country deal with the surge in outgoing migrants, develop its battered economy and rescue state finances.

The number of departures soared after Saied announced a crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants in February, using language that the African Union has labeled racial.

In early June, EU ministers agreed new conditions that each country would be responsible for a certain number of people, but not necessarily take them in.

Countries unwilling to host irregular migrants and refugees could help their hostmates through equipment, staff or money – about 20,000 euros ($21,800) per person. Italy, Greece and Malta had initially made demands for the mandatory relocation of migrants from frontline countries.

The reform also introduces a new fast-track border procedure for those deemed unlikely to be granted asylum, to avoid remaining within the bloc for years to come.

During the press conference in The Hague, the families of imprisoned opposition members called for the International Criminal Court to also investigate alleged widespread human rights violations in Tunisia, which is a member of the court.

Earlier this year, a crackdown by Tunisian judges detained more than 20 political, judicial, media and business figures with opposition ties. Many were imprisoned and charged with conspiracy against state security.

Tunisian opposition families say EU aid will not

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