Rule of law and human rights situation in Tunisia, particularly the case of Sonia Dahmani

In this non-legislative resolution, Parliament condemns the arbitrary detention, judicial harassment and sentencing of Tunisian lawyer and media commentator Sonia Dahmani, who has faced five separate court proceedings and been convicted three times, and demands her immediate and unconditional release along with that of all those detained for exercising freedom of expression. It denounces her detention conditions, including inadequate medical care and limited communication with family and legal counsel, and calls for all charges against her and her sister to be dropped. The text calls for the full repeal of Decree-Law 54 and all abusive legislation used to limit freedoms, and insists that the Tunisian authorities guarantee judicial independence and uphold rights protected by the Tunisian Constitution. It calls on the EU institutions to pursue coordinated diplomatic action and asks the Commission to make the human rights situation central to any political dialogue, financial assistance and agreements with Tunisia.