Tunisia: Parliament considers controversial deportation law

Tunisian lawmakers are currently deliberating a controversial draft law that would allow the deportation of “irregular” migrants to their home countries, as tensions rise around anti-migrant sentiment and xenophobic conspiracy theories.

This proposal comes after the Government claimed to have successfully repatriated over 7,000 migrants “voluntarily” last year.

However, human rights groups have voiced concerns, arguing that the legislation could violate international migration agreements, which Tunisia has signed. The bill is under review in Parliament and includes provisions for exemptions, such as for migrants who could face torture or inhumane treatment upon return, and allows for appeals against deportation orders.

The Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights has condemned the proposed law, calling it unethical and accusing the government of using it to formalize forced deportations. Despite a significant reduction in new arrivals—migration flows into Tunisia decreased by 64% last year—critics claim that Tunisia is already engaging in forced deportations under the guise of cooperation with Europe. Reports suggest that many migrants, living in dire conditions, are pressured into “voluntary” returns, often with financial support from the European Union (EU).

Since 2023, Tunisia’s crackdown on migrants has intensified following President Kais Saied’s inflammatory rhetoric, which depicted migration as part of a deliberate attempt to “change the demographic composition” of the country. This rhetoric sparked violence against Black migrants, leading to evictions, job losses, and widespread abuse. The government has also faced allegations of abandoning hundreds of migrants at the Sahara desert borders and even committing acts of violence, including rape and physical abuse, against migrants detained in the country.

The EU has continued to support Tunisia with financial aid, including €105 million to strengthen its border control infrastructure. However, despite mounting evidence of human rights violations, the EU maintains that Tunisia has one of the most advanced monitoring systems in the region. Recently, the EU acknowledged the need for stronger safeguards and is in the process of setting clearer conditions to ensure Tunisia upholds human rights standards. The fate of the proposed law and its implications for migrants remain uncertain.