Tunisia: Lawyer Sonia Dahmani released after more than one and a half years in detention
The OIAD is delighted by the release of Tunisian lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani, who was freed on 27 November 2025 following a decision by the Ministry of Justice.
Ms Dahmani’s release comes after 18 months of international mobilisation by bar associations and active support from the International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk for her release.
After her brutal arrest on 11 May 2024 at the headquarters of the Tunis Bar Association, Sonia Dahmani was also awarded the 2025 CCBE Human Rights Award, in recognition of her resilience and the scope of her work in defence of rights and freedoms in Tunisia.
In addition, the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticising the violations of fundamental rights in Tunisia and expressly calling for the lawyer’s release.
As Ms Dahmani is still facing prosecution, the Observatory reaffirms its unwavering support for the lawyer and the legal profession in Tunisia.
The Observatory remains watchful of the legal developments in this case and calls for an end to the unjustified prosecution of Tunisian lawyers who express critical opinions in the exercise of their fundamental rights.
The Observatory recalls that according to the United Nations basic principles on the role of lawyers, “Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization. (…)” (Principle 23)
