On the rule of law and human rights situation in Tunisia, particularly the case of Sonia Dahmani

B100538/2025

European Parliament resolution on the rule of law and human rights situation in Tunisia, particularly the case of Sonia Dahmani

(2025/2988(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Tunisia,

– having regard to Rules 150 (5) and 136 (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas lawyer and journalist Sonia Dahmani was arrested on 11 May 2024 in the Tunisian Bar Association’s office in Tunis following her appearance on the TV channel Carthage+ on May 7; whereas she has been detained on the grounds of alleged breaches of Decree-Law 54 on Cybercrime; whereas since her arrest she has faced five separate court proceedings and has been convicted three times; whereas further trials are planned and her total sentence could reach up to twenty-four years;

whereas Sonia Dahmani has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison; whereas the remaining criminal cases against her are still pending;

whereas on 11 November 2025, the Tunis Court of First Instance postponed Sonia Dahmani’s criminal hearing regarding her media comments on prison conditions in Tunisia due to missing documentation; whereas it has been reported that during the hearing she appeared to be in a fragile health condition;

whereas Sonia Dahmani is amongst Tunisia`s best-known TV and radio commentators and has been awarded the 2025 International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); whereas she has used the media platforms she regularly appears on to raise awareness about various political and societal issues;

whereas this year marks the 30th anniversary of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement;

Calls for the release of Sonia Dahmani;

Expresses its concerns about the conditions under which Sonia Dahmani is being held, and the toll her detention has taken on her health, including developing serious health issues; draws attention to her family`s statements about her conditions;

Calls on the Tunisian authorities to comply with their obligations under international human rights law and the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement and allow Sonia Dahmani adequate access to health care and basic necessities;

Stresses the importance of preserving a well-functioning judicial system and fully upholding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary;

Underlines the critical role legal professionals play in safeguarding the rule of law and the integrity of the judicial system as a whole;

Reiterates that freedom of expression and association along with an independent judicial system are principles guaranteed under Tunisia’s constitution and the United Nations conventions;

Stresses the importance for Tunisia to commit to upholding democratic standards, human rights and the rule of law;

Welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Tunisia signed in 2023; recognizes the importance of strengthened EU-Tunisia cooperation and Tunisia`s role in guaranteeing security and stability in the Mediterranean;

Highlights Tunisia`s position as key interlocutor in tackling the multiple challenges at hand and mitigating the major shifts underway across the region;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Tunisia.