Today, on International Migrants Day, the world’s spotlight turns to a growing challenge: how Europe’s migration clampdown is reshaping the journey for thousands of people seeking safety and better opportunities. Instead of reaching EU shores, many are stuck in “third countries” like Tunisia, waiting for decisions that may never come. 🌍🚧
Since late 2022, the European Union has pushed for “return hubs”—centers outside its borders where rejected asylum seekers would be held. The goal? Curb migration flows and deter new arrivals. But on the ground, the reality is far more tangled. Instead of solving the crisis, critics say the plan is shifting the human costs elsewhere. 😔
Tunisia has become a focal point. Tens of thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and beyond find themselves stranded in a legal limbo, their dreams of Europe on hold. Local authorities and NGOs warn that camps and detention centers are overcrowded, public services are stretched thin, and uncertainty reigns.
“What we see in Tunisia today reflects a strategy the EU—and especially Italy—has been crafting since the end of 2022,” says Romdhane Ben Amor, spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights. “By reducing landings in Italy, the EU has essentially shifted the crisis south.”
Human rights advocates argue the hubs could deepen humanitarian risks. Migrants face limited access to legal support, work, and education while waiting for return decisions. Observers also worry about the impact on Tunisia’s economy and social fabric as local communities try to fill gaps in healthcare, housing, and schooling.
Looking ahead, the EU must balance its goal of managing migration with its commitment to human rights. Young activists and diaspora groups are calling for more transparent processes and stronger partnerships with transit countries to ensure migrants aren’t left in limbo. After all, safe migration isn’t just a policy challenge—it’s a human one. 🤝✨
As we mark International Migrants Day, let’s remember these journeys are about people, not just policies. 🌟
Reference(s):
EU migration clampdown traps asylum seekers in transit countries
cgtn.com
