The conditional release of lawyer Sonia Dahmani, which took place on the very day the European Parliament resolution was adopted, was a strong signal, obtained thanks to an exceptional mobilization.

It is first and foremost the result of the unwavering commitment of those closest to him - in particular his sister, who fought his case with exemplary determination - the persevering work of his lawyers and the active support of Tunisian and international civil society.

However, this is only a partial step forward: the prosecutions continue and dozens of other people remain imprisoned for their opinions. It underlines both the effectiveness of collective pressure and the need to intensify it.

The adoption by a very large majority of the European Parliament of a resolution condemning the authoritarian regression in Tunisia reinforces this observation: mobilization must continue until the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and the effective restoration of the rule of law.

It was against this critical backdrop that, on November 17, 2025, a meeting was held at the European Parliament to mark the 30th anniversary of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. It brought together Tunisian, Euro-Mediterranean and international organizations, European parliamentarians, researchers and representatives of diaspora NGOs.

Organized by EuroMed Droits, the FIDH and the CRLDHT, with the support of MEP Mounir Satouri, the day had three objectives:

1. draw up a critical assessment of three decades of EU-Tunisia cooperation;
2. documenting the authoritarian regression underway since 2021 ;
3. formulate structuring recommendations to refocus the partnership on human rights, the rule of law and social justice.

The meeting acquired particular resonance when, a few days later, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority an emergency resolution on Tunisia, confirming and amplifying the findings, warnings and recommendations made during the day.

I. 30 years of cooperation: facts and impasses

1. Structurally asymmetrical cooperation  

The exchanges recalled :

• Tunisia's dependence on the European market ;
• the impact of tariff dismantling on public revenues ;
• the absence of a collective Maghreb negotiating strategy ;
• the gradual shift towards an increasingly securitarian and migratory agenda.

The vision of convergence promoted in 1995 has given way to a balance of dependence accentuated by the country's industrial weakness.

2. An evolution marked by the priority given to migration 

Since the mid-2010s, cooperation has refocused on migration management and border security, often to the detriment of :

• of democracy,
• human rights,
• and balanced development.

This observation explicitly echoes one of the central messages of the resolution adopted shortly before the meeting: migration cannot be the sole prism of neighborhood policy.

II- Reform, inclusion and regression: internal blockages 

1. Dismantling the rule of law

The speakers documented :

• the dissolution of checks and balances (justice, independent bodies, constitutional structures);
• mass dismissals, arbitrary transfers and dismissals from the judiciary;
• neutralizing the electoral body;
• the systemic use of Decree-Law 54 to prosecute journalists, lawyers, academics and citizens.

2. Closing the civic space

We noted :

• suspension or dissolution of associations;
• plans to restrict decree-law 88 ;
• the criminalization of humanitarian, environmental and associative work;
• defamation and stigmatization campaigns against independent organizations.

3. Socio-economic collapse

The debate highlighted :

• the absence of sustainable growth for more than a decade;
• the mass departure of young people and skills ;
• blocked investment and regulatory unpredictability ;
• persistent social and territorial inequalities.

4. A structural environmental crisis 

The meeting showed that environmental issues (water, industrial pollution, soil depletion) can no longer be isolated from questions of justice, governance and citizen participation.

III- Civil society, resistance and prospects 

1. A civil society under pressure but inescapable 

Despite the repression, citizens' collectives, NGOs, trade unions, journalists, academics and lawyers continue:

• document violations,
• to support victims,
• to alert international institutions,
• and defend freedom of conscience and human dignity.

2. Digital rights and surveillance 

The discussions highlighted a marked drift :

• content monitoring,
• site blocking,
• prosecution for publications on social networks,
• lack of independent regulation.

3. Health, innovation and opportunities 

The meeting also highlighted potential areas for positive cooperation (healthcare, innovation, research, energy transition), provided that Tunisia regains a stable democratic framework enabling transparency, attractiveness and real impact.

IV-Recommendations 

A. To the Tunisian State

• Immediately restore the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
• Repeal Decree-Law 54 and end political prosecutions.
• Guarantee freedom of association and preserve Decree-Law 88.
• Reactivate independent bodies and put in place those required by law.
• Free all those detained for their opinions.
• Establish a concerted economic and social strategy.

B. to The European Union 

The recommendations converge with the demands expressed in the resolution adopted in Strasbourg:

1. Make all macro-financial aid and political cooperation conditional on measurable respect for rights and freedoms.
2. Make the rule of law a non-negotiable pillar of the partnership.
3. Suspend any cooperation likely to reinforce repressive or surveillance measures.
4. Direct support for civil society, free media, citizens' movements and human rights defenders.
5. Integrate a consistent environmental and social dimension into all new association frameworks.
6. Demand transparency on the use of European funds allocated under the 2023 MoU.

C. To civil society 

• Strengthen monitoring, solidarity and advocacy networks.
• Rigorously document violations and territorial dynamics.
• Produce credible and inclusive reform proposals.

V. Link to the resolution adopted by the European Parliament 

The emergency resolution adopted by a broad, cross-party majority in the European Parliament marks a turning point. It :

• condemns authoritarian regression in Tunisia,
• demands the release of prisoners of conscience,
• calls for the restoration of checks and balances,
• calls for the integration of strict democratic conditionalities,
• and asserts that the partnership can no longer be purely migratory or security-based.

This resolution takes up, amplifies and institutionalizes the findings presented during the meeting.
The alerts formulated by the organizing organizations - TSG, EuroMed Droits, FIDH, CRLDHT - are now supported by an official position statement from the European Parliament, providing a strong political framework for further advocacy.

Conclusion 

The day's work focused on three key aspects:

• rigorous historical record;
• lucidity on the current situation of rights and freedoms in Tunisia;
• and the formulation of a vision for a sustainable, equitable partnership that respects democratic principles.

The adoption, at the same time, of the emergency resolution by a comfortable majority of the European Parliament lends important weight to this work: Tunisia is not abandoned to authoritarianism, and Europe is called upon to once again become consistent with its own values.

The organizers concluded by stressing that this day is just a stage: a point of support, a common foundation and a call to rebuild the EU-Tunisia partnership on the basis of dignity, justice and freedom.

Paros, November 27, 20265