• Press Release

Authorities in Tunisia Should Reduce Number of Detainees During COVID-19 Crisis

April 2, 2020

TUNIS, TUNISIA - APRIL 02: A health official wearing protective suit gather samples for testing from people with the symptoms of coronavirus within the Covid-19 pandemic precautions in Tunis, Tunisia on April 02, 2020. (Photo by Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Tunisian authorities must urgently consider reducing the number of people detained for breaching emergency health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Amnesty International warned today.

On March 31, President Kais Said granted special pardon to 1,420 prisoners in an effort to reduce risk of outbreak of COVID-19 contamination in prisons. While this is a positive step, much more still needs to be done to protect detainees who remain at risk in pre-trial detention and police custody.

Since Elyes Fakhfakh, the country’s head of government, announced that a national lockdown would be enforced from March 22, police have arrested at least 1,400 people for violating curfew or confinement measures.

“We understand that anyone violating the national lockdown and social distancing measures potentially hinders the state’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“But detaining even more people, given the elevated risk of transmission, places their health in jeopardy and can only serve to further increase the current health crisis.”

The authorities should consider releasing more prisoners – especially pre-trial detainees and those who may be particularly vulnerable to the disease, such as older prisoners or those with underlying medical conditions – as a means to reduce the prison population and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Amnesty International has recommended that the Tunisian authorities consider adopting non-custodial measures for people accused of violating the emergency measures taken by the state to control the spread of the virus. To reduce the exposure of detainees to COVID-19, authorities should also avoid overcrowding in police detention centers or in court cells.

“The standards of sanitation and health services in prisons and detention centers are very poor. People are often held in overcrowded cells where physical distancing is virtually impossible to uphold”, said Amna Guellali.

Background

The notorious overcrowding and poor conditions in Tunisian prisons is a matter of utmost concern amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. According to government data, Tunisian prisons held 22,600 people at the end of 2018, exceeding the maximum capacity of 17,700 inmates. Up to 50 per cent of all prisoners are in pre-trial detention and thousands are held for minor, nonviolent offenses, such as use or possession of drugs.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, prison populations are particularly exposed to infectious diseases like COVID-19 and conditions of detention can exacerbate the risks.

On March 25, Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warnedgovernments of the “catastrophic” consequences for both detainees and wider communities of failing to address prison overcrowding and poor detention conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to international law and standards on conditions of detention, the Tunisian authorities should ensure that all prisoners have prompt access to medical attention and health care. Prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care that are available in the community, including when it comes to testing, prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

To learn more about COVID-19 and human rights, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/distant-but-together-responding-to-covid-19/

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Mariya Parodi, [email protected]