Tunisia to Introduce Bill to Deny Citizenship to Children of Irregular Migrants
The Vice-President of the Strategic Planning Commission at the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), Tarek Mahdi, has announced the preparation of a draft law aimed at prohibiting the granting of Tunisian nationality to children of irregular migrants. According to him, this project aims to "cut off all legal and regulatory possibilities" that would allow these children to obtain nationality.
During his intervention on Express Fm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Mahdi expressed his concerns about the increasing number of births of irregular migrants on Tunisian soil. He also highlighted the proliferation of begging among some children of irregular migrants, pointing out the social consequences of this situation.
The deputy recalled that many European and American countries apply similar legislation, which does not grant nationality to irregular migrants. While emphasizing the importance of respecting human rights, Mahdi stressed that Tunisia has never experienced a comparable influx of irregular migrants over the past five years.
Regarding the possible inclusion of Tunisia on the European Union's list of "safe countries of origin," Mahdi stated that the Parliament "will not validate any decision that undermines national sovereignty" and reminded that this file falls under the prerogatives of the President of the Republic.
This announcement comes in the context of a European and international debate, as 37 organizations had, the day before, called on the European Parliament to reject the list of "safe countries of origin," estimating that it could deprive asylum seekers of their fundamental rights, while specifying that inclusion on this list does not guarantee security in the country concerned.
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