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

B100522/2025

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

(2025/2988(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to its previous human rights resolutions on Tunisia,

A. whereas Sonia Dahmani, a journalist and lawyer, has been held in prison since 11 May 2024;

B. whereas Tunisia is a privileged partner of the European Union, and sustained support and engagement with the country has been a long-standing priority for EU Commission;

C. whereas on 16 July 2023 the EU and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) based on five pillars, namely macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, migration and mobility; this agreement has been followed in 2024 by a very significant decrease in the number of migrants reaching Europeans coast;

D. whereas the European Commission on 25 May 2022, on behalf of the EU, has disbursed EUR 300 million in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Tunisia;

E. whereas, following a constitutional referendum held on 25 July 2022, a new constitution was approved by Tunisian voters; whereas approximately 30.5% of registered voters participated in the vote, according to the Independent High Authority for Elections, and whereas no minimum turnout was a requirement for the referendum to be valid;

F. whereas, since 2019, the wearing of the burqa in public and other practices considered discriminatory against women have been banned;

G. whereas there are rising tensions between the Tunisian Government and international financial institutions, which have been key partners in providing financial assistance to Tunisia, particularly as the country faces serious economic challenges;

Calls for the release of all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression or association such as Sonia Dahmani, including those held without clear, substantiated evidence or without full respect for due process;

Calls for comprehensive and constructive engagement with the Tunisian Government and acknowledges its important role in supporting regional stability; underlines that the stability and economic development of Tunisia and tackling migration is in the strategic interest of the EU, welcoming the crucial actions Tunisia has taken to fight illegal migration and terrorism;

Calls on the Tunisian government to undertake efforts to ensure independent media and the safety of journalists; noting the decline in press freedom across the region, recalling that these are fundamental pillars of a free and democratic society;

Support the bans introduced since 2019 on the burqa in public place, noting as well as the prohibition of specific Islamist political movements considered incompatible with the constitutional and legal order;

Calls on the Tunisian Government to ensure genuine social dialogue, to respect collective agreements and to take effective action to address the various challenges facing the country, including the cost-of-living crisis, illegal migration, freedom of speech and social cohesion;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the President, the Government and the Assembly of the Representatives of Tunisia.