On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, during her transfer to the courtroom for an appeal hearing, lawyer and media figure Sonia Dahmani was subjected to various types of harassment, mistreatment, and violations of her rights as a Tunisian citizen. She went through a thorough body search, which she found humiliating and affected her human dignity, especially since lawyer Sonia was imprisoned due to cases related to her opinions. She requested to wear her shoes, which was denied and was also asked to wear a “safsari” (a traditional prison garment) as a condition for entering the courtroom, which is an old procedure often imposed on female prisoners, especially in cases where the authority endeavors to restrict individual freedoms and enforce the so-called public morality. Initially, she refused but later agreed. After all this, she was informed by the prison director that she would not be able to attend the court session as she had exceeded the time allowed for her transfer. However, the victim’s lawyers reported that the hearing started at 12:30 pm, and the prosecution also requested that she be tried in her absence. In addition, the prison administration asked her to sign papers acknowledging her inability to attend the hearing, which the victim of the violation refrained from, considering it a transgression of her rights.
In this regard, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms condemns the violations faced by lawyer and media figure Sonia Dahmani inside the prison, including the encroachment on her physical inviolability, and denial of her right to attend her trial, which undermines the principles of fair trial. In addition, the number of cases and charges against her due to her opinions and statements shall be highlighted, as she has been in prison for over three months. Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms reiterates its full and unconditional support for Sonia Dahmani and all prisoners of conscience and their families. It also calls on the Tunisian authorities to respect prisoners’ rights and treat them in a manner that preserves their human dignity and full rights.