Tunisia: Authorities Must Urgently Investigate Surge in Detainees' Deaths in Prisons

What the report says

Amnesty International is calling on Tunisian authorities to open prompt, impartial and independent investigations into a reported rise in deaths in prison during the summer of 2026, when Tunisia experienced severe heatwaves. The group said the deaths highlight dangerous detention conditions, including extreme overcrowding, limited access to drinking water, poor ventilation and disruptions to healthcare in prisons across the country. The primary source, published by AllAfrica and attributed to Amnesty International, says the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights confirmed at least 23 prisoner deaths between July and August.

The report says Amnesty verified 12 deaths in custody through interviews with families, lawyers and civil society groups, and through online testimony. It cited deaths reported at prisons including Mornaguia, Gafsa, Gabès, Kairouan and Sfax. Families described detainees suffering from dehydration, breathing problems, skin conditions and delays in receiving medicine or hospital treatment. Prison officials denied allegations of medical negligence and said detainees were given appropriate care.

Among the cases highlighted was that of 24-year-old pre-trial detainee Alaa Eddine Abdelkader, who died in late August after reportedly describing unbearable heat, water shortages and difficulty breathing during a prison visit days earlier. Amnesty said his family was not immediately told of his death and learned of it later. The organization argues that authorities must notify families promptly, investigate deaths in custody and improve prison conditions to prevent further loss of life. As background, international human rights standards require states to protect detainees' health and life and to investigate deaths in custody without delay.