Tunisian President’s Critic Jailed for Calling Nation ‘Racist,’ Lawyer Claims

 

Sonia Dahmani, a well-known Tunisian lawyer

and vocal critic of President Kais Saied, has been sentenced to two years in prison after publicly labeling Tunisia a “racist country” during a radio interview. This new conviction follows an earlier eight-month sentence she received for criticizing the country’s governance and claiming Tunisia was unsuitable for living. Dahmani’s comments come against the backdrop of increasing tensions involving racial issues, particularly surrounding the treatment of sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisia.

Her lawyer, Sami Ben Ghazi, expressed outrage over the sentencing, accusing the government of using the judiciary to suppress dissent. Dahmani’s remarks were made in the context of rising tensions between locals and migrants, as many African nationals have reported facing hostility and discrimination. The Tunisian government, under Saied’s administration, has been criticized internationally for its handling of migration issues, especially after the president himself made inflammatory statements that some interpreted as stoking racial tensions.

President Kais Saied, who recently secured a second term, has been accused by critics of leading Tunisia down an increasingly authoritarian path. His administration has been marred by accusations of human rights violations, including detaining opposition figures, journalists, and lawyers critical of the government. Dahmani’s case highlights the broader issue of how dissent is being quashed under Saied’s rule, as his government tightens control over media and civil society. Many have accused the president of orchestrating a coup in 2021 when he dissolved parliament and assumed broad executive powers. While Saied has maintained popular support in some segments of the population, particularly among those disillusioned by the country’s economic challenges, his actions have drawn widespread international concern over Tunisia’s democratic future.

Human rights organizations have called for the release of Dahmani and other political prisoners, urging the Tunisian government to respect freedom of expression. As Dahmani’s imprisonment garners attention, Tunisia faces increasing scrutiny over its commitment to democratic norms and human rights. The case also puts a spotlight on the larger issue of racism and xenophobia in Tunisia, where African migrants have often reported discrimination, abuse, and hostility.