Tunisia’s political tensions boiled over Friday as President Kais Saïed launched a blistering attack on the European Parliament, accusing it of blatant meddling in his country’s internal affairs. The confrontation marks the sharpest clash yet between Tunis and Brussels over human rights, political freedoms, and Saïed’s growing authoritarian rule.
Saïed Slams EU Parliament Over Demand to Free Critics
The dispute erupted after the European Parliament (EP) overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding the release of imprisoned critics of Saïed’s government — most notably prominent lawyer Sania Dahmani, who was jailed for publicly condemning racism in Tunisia.
Though Dahmani was released earlier this week, she remains under strict judicial supervision, a condition the EP says amounts to political intimidation.
Saïed fired back furiously.
“The European Parliament’s resolution is a gross interference in our affairs,”
Saïed declared in a televised statement.
“If anything, they should learn from us about rights and freedoms.”
Two days earlier, Saïed summoned the EU ambassador to deliver what diplomats described as an unusually hostile protest over Europe’s “disrespect for diplomatic norms.”
“Anyone Who Disrespects Tunisia Will Be Held Accountable”
The president’s rhetoric grew even sharper as he accused Europe of adopting a neocolonial attitude toward Tunisia.
“Anyone who dishonors our country or ignores the rules of international conduct must understand that we will not tolerate it,”
Saïed warned.
“They will be fully held accountable for their actions.”
The comments underscore Tunisia’s increasingly combative posture toward Western partners who have raised concerns about Saïed’s power grabs, civil-rights rollbacks, and escalating repression of dissent.
Dahmani’s Case Highlights Tunisia’s Shrinking Freedoms
Dahmani’s arrest in May 2024 — carried out by masked officers — sparked outrage among local activists and international human-rights organizations. She faced criminal charges under a controversial 2022 “fake news” law, introduced by Saïed to combat disinformation but widely criticized for being used to prosecute journalists, lawyers, and opposition figures.
According to AFP, Dahmani has already been convicted in at least three cases stemming from her statements in radio and television interviews, where she denounced government policies and rising racism in Tunisia.
The EP’s resolution urged Tunisia to immediately abolish the law and halt all legal actions targeting individuals for exercising free speech.
Tunisia’s Democratic Backsliding Accelerates
Saïed, elected in 2019 as a political outsider, has dramatically transformed Tunisia’s political landscape. In 2021, he dissolved parliament, rewrote the constitution, assumed sweeping executive powers, and sidelined judicial institutions — moves critics describe as an ongoing “constitutional coup.”
Since then, human-rights groups say the government has:
- Arrested or intimidated political opponents
- Restricted press freedoms
- Criminalized criticism of the presidency
- Tightened control over the judiciary
- Expanded police powers
The European Parliament’s condemnation is the latest in a growing list of international warnings.
Europe Demands Reforms as Saïed Doubles Down
The EP called for the release of all individuals detained for political speech, including activists and human-rights defenders. It also urged Tunisia to restore judicial independence and uphold democratic guarantees.
But Saïed has rejected every accusation, arguing that Tunisia alone will decide its political future — not Europe.
Conclusion
The clash between Tunisia and the European Parliament signals a dramatic escalation in the country’s slide toward authoritarianism. As Saïed strengthens his hold on power and lashes out at foreign critics, Tunisia’s once-promising democratic transition hangs precariously in the balance. Meanwhile, activists and political prisoners remain caught between a defiant president and mounting international pressure.