{"id":1043,"date":"2026-07-13T18:39:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ong-voixlibre.org\/?p=1043"},"modified":"2026-07-13T18:44:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:44:03","slug":"a-trial-without-a-voice-dr-mondher-ounissi-loses-the-ability-to-speak-and-is-denied-a-means-of-communicating-with-his-defense-teama-tragic-situation-exposing-the-collapse-of-fair-trial-guarantee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ong-voixlibre.org\/en\/a-trial-without-a-voice-dr-mondher-ounissi-loses-the-ability-to-speak-and-is-denied-a-means-of-communicating-with-his-defense-teama-tragic-situation-exposing-the-collapse-of-fair-trial-guarantee\/","title":{"rendered":"A Trial Without a Voice…Dr. Mondher Ounissi Loses the Ability to Speak and Is Denied a Means of Communicating with His Defense TeamA Tragic Situation Exposing the Collapse of Fair Trial Guarantee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Paris, 13 July 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Free Voice Organization<\/strong> is following with deep concern and condemnation the serious developments regarding the health condition of Dr. Mondher Ounissi<\/strong>, following his being informed of the first-instance judgment issued in the case publicly known as the late Jilani Dabboussi case<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the defense team, the shock caused by the verdict resulted in severe psychological trauma that led to his loss of speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The information provided by the defense further confirms that Dr. Ounissi’s health condition no longer allows him to be transported under normal circumstances, given his severe back and kidney pain, along with other health complications. Transporting him in the standard prison vehicle would subject him to further suffering, leading him to choose to remain in detention rather than be transferred to hospital under those conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free Voice also expresses its profound condemnation of what the defense team reported regarding the prison administration’s refusal to provide Dr. Ounissi with paper and a pen, despite his urgent need for an alternative means of communication after losing his ability to speak. This prevented him from expressing his requests or communicating with his lawyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inability of a defendant to speak during a remote court hearing, and consequently to answer the court’s questions because of an acute medical condition, constitutes an extremely serious situation that strikes at the very core of the right to defense and the fundamental guarantees of a fair trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accordingly, we:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Call for urgent intervention<\/strong>\u00a0to ensure Dr. Ounissi’s physical and psychological safety and to guarantee the full exercise of all his legal rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Hold the relevant authorities responsible<\/strong>\u00a0for ensuring that Dr. Ounissi receives the necessary medical care, that his human dignity is respected, and that he is provided with the means to communicate with his defense team, as this is a fundamental right that must not be infringed under any circumstances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Call for a serious investigation<\/strong>\u00a0into the handling of his medical condition and for all necessary measures to be taken to prevent any practices that could worsen his suffering or undermine his right to defend himself.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    What is happening today reinforces serious concerns about the failure to respect the guarantees of justice and human rights in Tunisia. It underscores the urgent need for increased pressure to restore the principles of a fair trial, judicial independence, and the protection of the dignity of every person deprived of their liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Freedom, dignity, and justice are indivisible rights.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n