Multiple journalists taken into custody for criticizing the government

Location: Tunisia, Tunis
Date: May 13, 2024

Women Press Freedom expresses grave concern over the arbitrary arrests of political commentator Sonia Dahmani, journalists Borhen Bssais, and Mourad Zeghidi, and the detention of France 24’s Maryline Dumas. The arrests targeted those who have made critical comments about the government on television, highlighting the disproportionate targeting of media professionals, particularly those advocating for social justice and human rights. Tunisia's reputation as a standard-bearer for democracy in the region is tarnished as its leaders trample on the very freedoms they once championed. Following these arrests, journalists and commentators in Tunisia now operate under a cloud of fear and self-censoring to avoid reprisals. We call on the Tunisian authorities to immediately release all journalists, drop all charges against them, and uphold their commitment to press freedom.

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On May 11, 2024, plain-clothed security officers entered the premises of the Lawyer's House in Tunis to arrest political commentator and lawyer Sonia Dahmani.

Earlier in the week Dahmani refused to appear before a judge who had summoned her for questioning and had taken refuge in the bar association headquarters.

The dramatic arrest was captured live by France24 as masked officers stormed into the premises, disrupting a broadcast and causing chaos as they forcibly took Dahmani into custody. 

France24 condemned the police's actions for interfering with journalistic work and briefly detaining Maryline Dumas, one of their reporters covering the scene. 

In a statement, the channel decried what it described as a "brutal intervention by security forces," obstructing media coverage of a lawyers' protest advocating for justice and freedom of expression.

Dahmani's arrest was reportedly related to remarks she made on the television program Donya Zina aired on May 8, 2024. 

During the show, a discussion arose about the potential settlement of refugees and migrants in Tunisia, with Dahmani questioning the attractiveness of Tunisia as a destination for settlement. She mentioned the trend of Tunisian youth seeking opportunities abroad due to a declining standard of living, which suggested she believed Tunisia was less appealing for settlement.

Following these remarks, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that many viewers interpreted Dahmani's comments as derogatory towards Tunisia's reputation, leading to the issuance of a summons for her appearance before an investigating judge.

On May 13, Dahmani was transferred to prison on charges of spreading false news that undermines public safety and inciting hate speech.

Multiple Journalists Arrested

On the same day as Dahmani’s arrest, TV and radio presenter Borhen Bssais and political commentator Mourad Zeghidi were also taken into custody. Zeghidi's social media post in support of an arrested journalist, Mohamed Boughalleb, and his statements on TV since February were cited as reasons for his detention. Bssais's arrest, under Decree 54 concerning the sharing of fake news, lacked a clear explanation.

On May 13, 2024, police also arrested freelance photojournalist Yassin Mahjoub while he was reporting on the arrest of lawyer Mehdi Zargouba during a second police raid at the bar association headquarters. The police deleted all of Mahjoub's photos and released him on the same day without filing any charges against him.

Civil society in Tunisia has mobilized in response to the arrests. Protests in the capital, Tunis, have called for the release of the journalists detained and have demanded an end to government repression.

President Kais Saied's consolidation of power through the dismissal of the prime minister and the suspension of parliament in 2021, followed by the approval of a new constitution in a contentious referendum, has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the concentration of authority. While Saied has justified these measures as necessary to address political and economic challenges, critics argue that they have enabled a regression toward authoritarian rule.

The escalating repression of press freedom in Tunisia is a cause for grave concern. These crackdowns are facilitated by Decree 54, signed into law by President Kais Saied in September 2022. Ostensibly aimed at combating fake news, this decree has become a weapon to silence dissent and muzzle the press. Its vague language enables authorities to interpret legitimate criticism as defamation, with severe penalties, including imprisonment. 

Journalists, lawyers, and opposition members find themselves targeted and silenced as the space for independent journalism continues to shrink under the weight of government repression.

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the arrests of Sonia Dahmani, Borhen Bssais, and Mourad Zeghidi, as well as the detention of Maryline Dumas. The audacious and aggressive apprehension of Sonia Dahmani signifies the Tunisian authorities’ utter disregard for press freedom and freedom of expression. Putting journalists behind bars for comments made in a professional capacity on current affairs programs is unacceptable. We demand the dropping of all charges against the arrested journalists and their immediate and unconditional release.

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