About My Mother, Sonia Dahmani
My mother, Sonia Dahmani, is an incredible woman—a lawyer, a TV and radio political commentator, and above all, a fearless advocate for justice. She has dedicated her life to defending human rights, standing up for the voiceless, and speaking the truth, no matter the cost.
But today, she is the one who needs defending.
My mother has been unjustly imprisoned in Tunisia for doing what she has always done—fighting for justice and speaking out against inequality and corruption. She has been silenced for having the courage to say what others are afraid to, and as her daughter, I can’t stand by and let this happen.
What Happened to My Mother?
May 11, 2024: Masked men stormed the Bar Association’s headquarters in Tunis to arrest my mother. They violently raided the building, broke down doors, and dragged her away, treating her like a criminal for simply doing her job.
- July 2024: Sentenced to one year in prison. She responded to claims that sub-Saharan migrants were trying to "change Tunisia’s demographics," saying:
“What kind of extraordinary country are we talking about? The one that half of its youth want to leave?”
Her remarks about Tunisia’s declining conditions were deemed “degrading” to the country’s image.
- September 2024: Sentence reduced to eight months on appeal.
- October 2024: Sentenced to an additional two years for exposing racist practices like segregated graveyards and buses and for speaking out against systemic anti-Black racism.
Sonia Dahmani is being prosecuted under Decree 54, a draconian law that criminalizes free speech and silences dissent. She now faces five separate cases and over 45 years in prison, all for her words.
My mother’s story is not just her own.
This is not just my mother’s story—it is the story of everyone who has been silenced for standing up against injustice. Her imprisonment is a stark reminder of the global rise in authoritarianism, where freedom and democracy are under attack.
Her fight is our fight. What is happening in Tunisia is not isolated. When one person is silenced, it diminishes us all. When one voice is taken, we lose a piece of our collective humanity.
My mother’s arrest was broadcast live on France 24, capturing the shocking moment for the world to see – May 11, 2024