Prominent Tunisian lawyer Sonia Dahmani has been sentenced to two years in prison after she publicly referred to Tunisia as a “racist country” during a radio interview. This verdict follows escalating tensions between migrants and locals and highlights Dahmani’s ongoing legal challenges. Detained since May, Dahmani was previously sentenced to an additional eight months in September for expressing that Tunisia is “not a great place to live.”
Dahmani’s remarks are believed to reflect the increasing racial violence directed at Black African migrants and refugees, which surged after President Kais Saied’s controversial February speech. Many criticized the speech for inciting anti-immigrant sentiment, leading to reports of assault, theft, and vandalism targeting migrants.
This sentencing follows President Saied’s re-election, which his opponents allege was fraudulent. Saied has faced accusations of orchestrating a coup by dissolving parliament in 2021 and governing by decree. The opposition continues to demand calm and calls for the release of imprisoned journalists and political activists.
Tunisian lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi confirmed the sentencing to Reuters, condemning the suppression of dissent in the country. Meanwhile, another court recently sentenced prominent opposition figure Noureddine Bhiri to 10 years in prison on charges of inciting disobedience.
Although Tunisia has laws criminalizing racial discrimination and is a signatory to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the recent wave of violence and detentions of Black African migrants has renewed concerns about racism and xenophobia in the country.
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