By Ebi Kesiena
Lawyers affiliated with the Tunisian National Bar Association initiated a day-long general strike on Monday in response to the arrest of one of their own, as reported by local media.
According to a local news agency, the decision for the strike was declared by Hatem Meziou, president of the bar association, following a Saturday night incident where security forces conducted a “raid” on the Lawyers’ House in Tunis to apprehend lawyer Sonia Dahmani.
Meziou made the announcement after an emergency meeting of the association’s board on Sunday, stating that the strike would encompass all courts across the Republic.
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In addition to the strike, the board revealed plans to hold a news conference on May 14 and establish a National Observatory for Lawyers aimed at monitoring “violations” against legal practitioners, journalists, and citizens. A symbolic protest is also slated to take place in front of the Lawyers’ House on May 16.
Responding to the raid carried out by masked security officers, Meziou condemned the action and announced the bar association’s intent to file criminal complaints. He stressed the lawyers’ demand for adherence to the rule of law.
Confirming the execution of the arrest warrant against Dahmani, Mohamed Zitouna, spokesperson for the Tunis Court of First Instance, clarified that the charges against her are unrelated to her legal practice, although their specific nature was not disclosed.
