Tomorrow, August 20, 2024, Sonia Dahmani, a well-known lawyer and commentator, will appear in court barefoot. This bold and symbolic decision comes after prison authorities refused to allow her to wear the clothing her family brought for her to the trial.
On Monday, August 19, 2024, Sonia’s sister, Ramla Dahmani, shared the news in a Facebook post. “Today, we brought Sonia some simple white shirts and a pair of shoes for her to wear during her trial tomorrow. The shirts were plain, without any embellishments, and the shoes were simple, made of non-metal materials, with espadrille heels. Just something decent for her to wear… but all of it was denied,” Ramla wrote.
?? Tunisian authorities must release #SoniaDahmani, lawyer and media figure, who has been sentenced to a year in prison on 5 July 2024 under the draconian Decree-Law 54. Her appeal date is set for tomorrow 20 August, 2024. pic.twitter.com/mnvoIhpTJ3
— Amnesty MENA (@AmnestyMENA) August 19, 2024
She continued, “Why? Why did the new prison director refuse our pleas and those of her lawyers? Why wasn’t Sonia allowed to cut or dye her hair? Why are they denying her the right to wear decent clothes? Why are they so determined to break her physically, to put her in a position of weakness? Do they really think that by forcing her to wear rags, she will be less beautiful, less strong, less symbolic? Why this relentless pursuit to destroy her image, this inexplicable hatred… Why?”
Sonia has made her decision. She will go to court barefoot. If they want to strip her down, she will comply, but on her own terms. The symbol they seek to destroy will only grow stronger.
Sonia will not allow herself to be broken.
The Tunis Court of Appeal has scheduled the hearing for Sonia Dahmani’s appeal for August 20, 2024. This appeal is against the initial judgment that sentenced her to one year in prison.
Sonia Dahmani was sentenced on July 6, 2024, to one year in prison in connection with the “Heyla leblad” case. On May 11, 2024, her forceful arrest made headlines. The police had stormed the Tunis Bar Association headquarters, where Sonia had sought refuge after a warrant was issued against her following a media statement. The officers entered the premises to detain her.
Tunisia: Sonia Dahmani: A Barefoot Lawyer Standing Up for Her Dignity
