The controversial “Team Europe” deal with Tunisia’s autocratic leader, Kais Saied, foresees EU financial support and enhanced cooperation with Tunisia in exchange for the country containing departures of migrants and asylum seekers towards Europe. “Regrettably, the deal only pays lip service to human rights and fails to acknowledge – let alone address – serious abuses against Black African migrants by Tunisian authorities or attach any human rights conditions,” HRW’s Claudio Francavilla and Alice Autin jointly stated. They allege an intention to replicate the so-called Team Europe deal elsewhere in the region, notably with Egypt and Morocco. HRW has urged European governments that care about human rights and international law to oppose the strategy, seen as abusive, ill-conceived and short-sighted. “The alternative is not only a moral failure, but culpability in the continued suffering and deaths on Europe’s doorstep,” it stated.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 24, 2023 14:10 UTC