Judicial observation mission – trial of Sonia Dahmani
Trial observation of: Sonia Dahmani
Date of hearing: 6 February, 2026
Report date: 11 March, 2026
Description:
This report sets out the conclusions of the judicial observation mission, in which Benedetta Perego participated on behalf of the OIAD, to attend the trial held on 6 February 2026 against Tunisian lawyer and journalist Sonia Dahmani.
Dahmani is the victim of multiple criminal proceedings linked to her public statements criticising Tunisia’s migration policies, racism and prison conditions in the country.
The report analyses the context of the trial observed, based on accusations of “dissemination of false information” under Decree-Law No. 54 of 2022, a widely criticised regulation for its use in prosecuting crimes of opinion. It also examines the conduct of the hearing, the lawyer’s legal situation and concerns about respect for freedom of expression, the rule of law and guarantees of the right to defence in Tunisia.
The hearing was postponed until 24 March 2026; a further postponement is expected.
