A prominent Tunisian lawyer and commentator, Sonia Dahmani, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday for criticizing the government’s treatment of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
Dahmani’s conviction stems from her remarks on a private radio station in May, where she sarcastically commented on Tunisia’s economic conditions and the racism faced by Black migrants.
Her comments were seen as critical of President Kais Saied’s government.
The verdict has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and press freedom advocates, who argue that it reflects a broader crackdown on dissent in Tunisia.
Critics say that the government has increasingly used legal measures to silence opposition voices.
Decree-Law 54, a controversial law passed in 2022, has been instrumental in these efforts. It criminalizes the spread of “false news” that could harm public order or national security.
Human Rights Watch has documented numerous cases where this law has been used to target journalists and activists.
Dahmani’s arrest and subsequent conviction highlight the shrinking space for freedom of expression in Tunisia.
Her case is part of a broader pattern of repression, with several other journalists and commentators facing similar charges.
International organizations and human rights groups have urged the Tunisian authorities to release Dahmani and other political prisoners and to respect fundamental freedoms.