Money despite violations of human rights

According to a study presented in Brussels on Wednesday, serious human rights violations regularly occur in the border protection initiatives co-financed by the European Union in Tunisia and Libya. The Green Group in the EU Parliament commissioned the report. “There should be no agreements with third countries if there is no monitoring of fundamental rights, no democratic control and no parliamentary supervision,” criticized MP Erik Marquardt (Greens). EU-funded programs with coast guards and border police in Tunisia and Libya from 2018 to 2023 were examined. Accordingly, there is evidence of human rights violations by Tunisian and Libyan authorities within EU-funded programs. This contradicts the law of the EU, which must use its resources in accordance with human rights standards, even beyond its borders. The study calls for a comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in Tunisia and Libya. As long as this is not taken into account, no more funds should be allocated or paid out. Current programs would have to be checked for the human rights situation, adjusted and suspended in the event of violations. The EU Parliament must play a key role in planning and monitoring. In an online petition, the Greens are calling on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to link EU funding to the protection of human rights. In recent years, the EU and its members have made increasing efforts to restrict migration across the Mediterranean. An important strategy is to provide funding for coast guard and border police equipment and training for North African states. This policy fails to achieve its goals. The number of arrivals in Italy doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. More people also died in the Mediterranean. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in 2023 almost 2,500 people died or disappeared while attempting to cross.