disaster
Tunisia: Refugees and asylum seekers trapped in cycle of abuse after authorities dismantle crucial safeguards [EN/AR]
By Amnesty International at ReliefWeb
· July 3, 2026
· 7 min read
Countries: Tunisia, World . Tunisian authorities must immediately overturn racist and xenophobic policies that have systematically excluded refugees and asylum seekers from protection, restore access to asylum procedures, halt unlawful collective expulsions and other forced returns, and stop repress
Key takeaway The crisis escalated in June 2024, when authorities ordered the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to suspend asylum registrations and refugee status determinations.
Why this matters
The situation in Tunisia highlights the complexities of international cooperation on migration control, where human rights concerns are often overlooked in favor of border security. The EU's externalization policy, which provides support to countries like Tunisia to manage migration, has been criticized for enabling human rights abuses. In this case, the suspension of asylum registrations and refugee status determinations has left thousands of vulnerable individuals without protection, exacerbating their risk of exploitation and abuse. The fact that this decision was not publicly communicated raises concerns about transparency and accountability. As the crisis in Tunisia continues to unfold, it is crucial to monitor the response of international organizations and governments, particularly in the context of faith-based humanitarian efforts, which often play a critical role in providing aid to refugees and asylum seekers. The ability of Christian charities and relief organizations to operate effectively in Tunisia will depend on the government's willingness to restore access to asylum procedures and protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Tunisia, World . Tunisian authorities must immediately overturn racist and xenophobic policies that have systematically excluded refugees and asylum seekers from protection, restore access to asylum procedures, halt unlawful collective expulsions and other forced returns, and stop repress
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amnesty International at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .