Latest news with #SoniaDahmani

Zawya
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: United Nations (UN) experts alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation of lawyers
UN experts* today expressed alarm at the situation of lawyers in Tunisia, noting a serious deterioration in the last year. 'Targeting legal professionals solely for performing their role in the justice system or exercising their freedom of expression poses a direct threat to the integrity and fairness of legal proceedings in Tunisia and could jeopardise the right to a fair trial,' the experts said. The experts noted that lawyer Ahmed Souab was arrested on 21 April 2025, following critical comments made publicly about the recent trial of several opposition figures. Souab was defending some of the clients who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for charges characterised as 'conspiracy against State security'. Lawyer Sonia Dahmani was reportedly violently detained at the premises of the Tunisian Bar Association by masked men in May 2024 and is facing five criminal cases all initiated under Decree-Law 2022-54 on 'cybercrime' before the Tunis First Instance Court solely for stating her opinion publicly. Dahmani was sentenced in January 2025 to 18 months in prison for her comments in a TV show, and this June, she received an additional two-year prison sentence. The experts also deplored other reported cases of legal professionals in the country who have been criminally accused, and even sentenced to long prison terms, solely for defending their clients and for expressing their opinion publicly such as Dalila Msaddak, Islem Hamza, Ayachi Hamami, Ghazi Chaouachi, Mehdi Zagrouba, and Lazhar Akremi. 'The measures taken directly interfere with the independence of the legal profession, undermining the ability of lawyers to represent their clients,' the experts said. 'They appear designed to ensure critics of the Executive are silenced.' The experts stressed that free exercise of the legal profession contributes to ensuring access to justice, oversight of State power, protection of due process and fair trial rights. 'We call on Tunisia to comply with international standards providing that lawyers should be able to carry out all their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference. They should not face prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics,' they said. 'Like all human beings, lawyers are entitled to freedom of expression and opinion.' The experts have been in contact with the Government of Tunisia regarding their concerns. *The experts: Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of expression and opinion. The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).


France 24
10-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Trump's remarks sparl reaction in Africa
Also, in Tunisia, the pace of political trials is rapidly increasing. Commentator and lawyer Sonia Dahmani is currently serving nearly five years in prison after being convicted of false news charges in three different cases. She faces two more cases pending trial. Several political figures were also convicted in a high-profile case involving an alleged conspiracy against state security, receiving sentences ranging from 12 to 35 years. These convictions have left many concerned about the implications for justice and political freedom in Tunisia. Finally, The World Food Programme said Monday it had airdropped food aid to help tens of thousands of people in remote parts of South Sudan, where a recent surge in fighting has pushed some communities "to the brink of famine".


Libyan Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Tunisian court jails lawyer Sonia Dahmani for criticising migrant policy
BY Libyan Express Jul 02, 2025 - 05:02 Lawyer Sonia Dahmani was sentenced to two years in prison under Tunisia's cybercrime law after criticising the government's stance on African migrants A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced prominent lawyer and government critic Sonia Dahmani to two years in prison over comments challenging the state's treatment of sub-Saharan migrants—raising alarm among rights groups about the deepening repression in the country. Dahmani's defence team withdrew from the courtroom after the judge refused their request to postpone the trial, accusing the court of trying her twice for the same offence. 'What's happening is a farce,' said her lawyer, Sami Ben Ghazi. 'Sonia is being punished for the same statement twice.' Fellow lawyer Bassem Trifi called the verdict 'a grave injustice'. Dahmani was arrested last year following remarks made during a televised debate, in which she criticised the Tunisian government's stance on undocumented African migrants. She was prosecuted under Decree 54, a controversial cybercrime law that has become a tool for silencing journalists, lawyers, and opposition figures. President Kais Saied has faced growing accusations of authoritarianism since seizing sweeping powers in 2021. He has repeatedly denied targeting critics, insisting his actions are lawful and aimed at ending corruption and restoring order. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.