Khayem Turki

Summary

Khayem Turki is a Tunisian Political Activist and Former Secretary-General of the Democratic Coalition Party for Labor and Freedoms. On February 11, 2023, He was imprisoned in the Civil Prison of Mornaguia after being arrested in the case of conspiracy against the State Security with the support of external parties

Personal Information

Name: Khayem Turki

Nationality: Tunisian

Age: 57

Occupation: Political Activist

Incidents of Violation

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, police forces affiliated with the National First Unit for Combatting Terrorism and Organized Crime Affecting National Security raided and searched political activist Kahyem Turki’s residence by virtue of a warrant issued by the Public Prosecution. Khayem Turki was accused after being suspected of conspiring against State Security, he was then arrested due to holding meetings with several politicians in his residence in the Sidi Bousaid area in Tunis. Khayem Turki’s lawyer, Abdelaziz Essid, informed the media that his client Khayem Turki, had held a meeting with political figures with the aim of expanding the opposition front to the course of July 25 and forming an opposition political coalition. The following day, the violation victim was interrogated for 48 hours and questioned about the nature of his political activity, as well as the purpose of holding such meetings, without his lawyer. Later, an arrest warrant was issued to keep Khayem Turki imprisoned for more than a month. In addition to the malicious accusations against him, along with several other politicians, Khayem and other politicians, such as Ghazi Chaouachi and Jawher Ben Mbarek, have faced maltreatment and harassment since they first were imprisoned, by placing them in cells with convicts and moving them several times. Lawyer Abdelaziz Essid also stated that his client’s imprisonment conditions are inhumane, as he was placed in an unclean cell that was filled with insects

On March 18, 2023, the defense team emphasized that during their visit to their client in the Prison, they had found surveillance cameras installed in the prisoners’ cells, which is weird, whereas the prison administration had insisted that it was solely for the purpose of protecting the inmates. The National Agency for the Protection of Personal Data also underscored installing surveillance cameras in the isolation rooms of detainees or prisoners who exhibit symptoms of neurological and psychological disorders and sleeping conditions. It is an exceptional measure, and it can only be taken when the two conditions are met, notably prohibiting registration/ recording and the health condition of the person concerned, who must be suffering from neurological or psychological disorders. This is a situation that does not apply to the concerned individuals

Therefore, the defense team agency concluded that placing surveillance methods contradicts Funmentale Law No.63 of the year 2004, particularly Chapter 69, and Decision No.5 of the year 2018, particularly Chapter 11; It is the responsibility of the Prison of Mornaguia to remove the tools and request a permit from the agency regarding the issue by submitting evidence to justify the psychological or neurological illness of the persons concerned

Human Rights Violations

Arresting political activist Khayem Turki due to his political activity is blatant violence against human rights, particularly his right to freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right protected by Chapter 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19, Paragraph 1, as it stipulates that everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference. This right includes the freedom to discuss public affairs, organize peaceful assemblies and meetings, criticize government policies and oppose them, publish political articles, conduct election campaigns, and promote political ideas. In addition, accusing Khayem Turki of conspiring against State Security due to holding political meetings is a criminalization of the right to peaceful assembly, guaranteed under Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states: “The right to peaceful assembly is recognized.” Besides, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in Article 20, Paragraph 1 stipulates:” Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association

Moreover, adopting the Anti-Terrorism Law as a tool to retaliate against political opponents is a clear transgression against the state of law and equality principles, and only constitutes a regression from the rule of law and undertaking an authoritarian system by implementing bodies that aim to eliminate political opponents. Additionally, a retaliating and acting with malice against them inside places of detention is considered a form of ill-treatment and contradicts Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as Paragraph 1 mandates that:” All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” and in Paragraph 2: “Accused persons shall, save in exceptional circumstances, be segregated from convicted persons and shall be subject to separate treatment appropriate to their status as unconvicted persons