Tunisian Federation of Newspaper Directors Condemns Attacks on Press Freedom

Following disturbing developments concerning the behavior of judicial and security authorities regarding freedom of expression — notably the intrusion into the lawyer's office, the forced arrest of lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani, as well as the arrest of journalists Mourad Zghidi and Borhane Bsaïes — the Tunisian Federation of Newspaper Directors wishes to express:

• Its astonishment and indignation at such actions, which affect journalists in the exercise of their constitutional right and professional duty to freedom of expression.
• Its full solidarity with colleagues Mourad Zghidi and Borhane Bsaïes, as well as columnist Sonia Dahmani, and all journalists currently being prosecuted, calling for their immediate release. The charges brought against them do not constitute a crime or a threat to society or civil peace.
• Its renewed call for the repeal of Decree-Law No. 54, whose application poses a real threat to freedom of opinion, expression, and the press. It advocates for its replacement with Decrees No. 115 and No. 116, related to press freedom, publication, expression, and audiovisual media.
• Its alarm regarding the disastrous situation of press institutions, particularly private ones, which face an unprecedented risk of disappearance.
• Its solidarity with the legal community and recognizes the strength of the bonds that unite the press and the legal profession, united in their commitment to the nation, democracy, and the protection of public and individual freedoms.