NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Durbin, Cassidy, and Rep. McGovern Urge Tunisian President to Release Sonia Dahmani

Sonia Dahmani is serving nearly five years in prison for exercising her peaceful expression of speech

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and two other colleagues in sending a letter to President of the Republic of Tunisia Kais Saied to request the release of Sonia Dahmani.

"We write regarding the troubling case of Sonia Dahmani, a Tunisian lawyer and political commentator currently serving nearly five years in prison for her peaceful expression of speech," the lawmakers wrote.

Sonia Dahmani was arrested on May 11, 2024, and has subsequently faced several prosecutions for her public remarks on television and radio under Tunisia's cybercrime Decree-Law 54, a law overly relied upon to limit the freedom of expression of journalists, commentators, and political figures in Tunisia. She is currently serving a sentence of nearly five years. Tomorrow, September 30, 2025, Ms. Dahmani is scheduled for another hearing in which she faces an additional 10-year sentence for her speech. In their letter, the lawmakers called on President Saied to grant leniency around this upcoming hearing.

"We urge you to show compassion and leadership around this hearing to grant her humanitarian release on time served," the lawmakers wrote. "Doing so would help remove a troubling area of disagreement between our nations."

The lawmakers went on to outline their concern about reports of Ms. Dahmani's mistreatment in the Manouba prison where she is being held. There have also been allegations of sexual misconduct by prison staff at Manouba. In addition, Ms. Dahmani's sister, Ramla Dahmani, was handed a two-year sentence in absentia for publicly advocating on her sister's behalf.

The lawmakers wrote, "Serious concerns have been raised about Ms. Dahmani's health and safety while in detention at Manouba prison. She reportedly has endured degrading treatment, harassment, denial of medical care for existing medical conditions, and severe restrictions on visits from both family and legal counsel."

The lawmakers concluded, "As the symbolic birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has long been regarded as a bright spot for democratic aspirations and progress in the region. Finding a timely resolution to Sonia Dahmani's case and overturning the convictions against Ramla Dahmani will help reaffirm those powerful aspirations."

In addition to Schiff and Durbin, the letter was also signed by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.-02).

Background: Earlier this year, Schiff and Durbin joined their colleagues to introduce a resolution recognizing Tunisia's leadership in the Arab Spring and emphasizing the need to continue the democratic gains made since.

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear President Saied,

We write regarding the troubling case of Sonia Dahmani, a Tunisian lawyer and political commentator currently serving nearly five years in prison for her peaceful expression of speech. Ms. Dahmani is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, September 30, 2025, where she faces an additional 10-year sentence. We urge you to show compassion and leadership around this hearing to grant her humanitarian release on time served. Doing so would help remove a troubling area of disagreement between our nations.

Ms. Dahmani was arrested on May 14, 2024, when masked police raided the offices of the Tunis Bar Association. She subsequently faced several prosecutions for her public remarks on television and radio under cybercrime Decree-Law 54, a law overly relied upon to limit the freedom of expression of journalists, commentators, and political figures in Tunisia. Serious concerns have been raised about Ms. Dahmani's health and safety while in detention at Manouba prison. She reportedly has endured degrading treatment, harassment, denial of medical care for existing medical conditions, and severe restrictions on visits from both family and legal counsel. Additionally, there have been deeply concerning allegations of sexual misconduct by prison staff. Ms. Dahmani's sister, Ramla Dahmani, also was handed a two-year sentence in absentia for publicly advocating on her sister's behalf.

As the symbolic birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has long been regarded as a bright spot for democratic aspirations and progress in the region. Finding a timely resolution to Sonia Dahmani's case and overturning the convictions against Ramla Dahmani will help reaffirm those powerful aspirations.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.

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