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

European Parliament resolution of 27 November 2025 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 the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement,

–having regard to the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding,

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

A.whereas lawyer and journalist Sonia Dahmani was arrested in May 2024 at the Tunisian Bar Association’s office following her appearance on the TV channel Carthage+; 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 24 years;

B.whereas Sonia Dahmani is subjected to inhuman and degrading detention conditions, without access to medical care;

C.whereas her sister Ramla Dahmani was sentenced in absentia in July 2025 on charges of spreading false news;

1.Condemns the arbitrary detention, judicial harassment and sentencing of lawyer and media commentator Sonia Dahmani;

2.Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Sonia Dahmani and all those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including political prisoners and human rights defenders; urges the Tunisian authorities to drop all charges against Sonia Dahmani and her sister and to refrain from harassing their family;

3.Denounces the conditions under which Sonia Dahmani is being held, including inadequate medical care, limited communication with her family and legal counsel, and delayed hearings, alongside multiple cases aimed at extending her detention;

4.Insists that the Tunisian authorities protect freedom of assembly and expression, guarantee judicial independence, prevent executive interference in judicial functions and uphold the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution; condemns the escalating arbitrary detentions, politically motivated persecutions and restrictions on freedoms;

5.Calls for the full repeal of Decree-Law 54, which has led to prosecutions for expressions of opinion, and of all abusive legislation used to limit freedoms;

6.Calls for the EU institutions to express deep concern regarding the deterioration of human rights in Tunisia and to pursue coordinated diplomatic action aimed at facilitating the release of political detainees;

7.Calls on the Tunisian authorities to comply with their obligations under international human rights law and the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement; takes note of the recent postponement of the EU-Tunisia Association Council and asks the Commission to make the human rights situation the centre of any political dialogue, financial assistance, security cooperation and agreements with Tunisia;

8.Expresses unwavering solidarity with Tunisia’s civil society, human rights defenders, independent media and journalists, and lawyers’ associations; calls on the Commission to respond to the Tunisian Government’s decision to block civil society organisations’ bank accounts; underlines the critical role that legal professionals play in safeguarding the rule of law and the integrity of the judicial system;

9.Encourages Tunisia to tackle the multiple challenges across the region by assuming a role in upholding human rights and democracy;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Tunisian authorities.