At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. We firmly believe in the importance of promoting policies that respect the dignity and well-being of all individuals, especially in the face of humanitarian challenges like those posed by irregular migration.
Recent developments concerning the EU-Tunisia migration pact have raised serious concerns within our organization and the broader human rights community. The European Union’s agreement to provide financial assistance and practical cooperation to Tunisia, primarily targeting undocumented migrants attempting the perilous journey towards Italy, has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations and concerned Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
The Nordic Right is deeply troubled by reports of migrants arrested in Tunisia being left stranded in the desert near the Libya border, without adequate support or protection. Moreover, the recent influx of over 7,000 African migrants to Lampedusa underscores the pressing humanitarian challenges faced by affected regions, including the tiny Italian island that bears the weight of this crisis.
We support the inquiry made by the ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, questioning whether a thorough human rights impact assessment was conducted before the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was finalized. It is essential that the European Commission addresses these concerns and provides transparency regarding measures to mitigate risks of human rights violations arising from the EU-Tunisia migration partnership.
Nordic Right echoes the concerns raised by MEPs regarding the collaboration with the Tunisian government, given its increasing authoritarian tendencies. We emphasize the need for vigilance and adherence to international human rights standards when engaging in such partnerships, ensuring that actions financed using EU funds comply with applicable human rights norms.
In light of recent events, including Tunisia’s denial of entry to a European Parliament fact-finding delegation, Nordic Right calls on the European Commission to reevaluate its approach and prioritize human rights in all agreements related to migration and cooperation with partner nations.
