Summary: 

Khaled Mabrouki, originally from Bizerte Governorate, was a 32-year-old man suffering from psychological disorders. He was arrested and detained at Borj Erroumi Prison following a dispute with one of his neighbors. During his detention, he was subjected to medical neglect and ill-treatment and was not provided with the necessary healthcare for his mental condition. After his release from prison, his psychological condition deteriorated, and he later died by suicide. 

Personal Information: 

Name: Khaled Mabrouki 

Age: 32 years old 

Nationality: Tunisian 

Governorate: Bizerte 

Violation Incidents: 

In December 2023, Khaled Mabrouki was arrested following a dispute with one of his neighbors. He was referred to court and sentenced to one year of imprisonment at Bork Erroumi Civil Prison. 

At the beginning of his detention, his family submitted his medical file to the prison administration and to the Citizen Relations Office, confirming that he suffered from psychological disorders requiring medical follow-up and treatment. They were informed that a large number of detainees were awaiting medical examination. 

During his detention, his psychological condition significantly worsened without him receiving the necessary medical or psychological care, according to his family. His family also stated that Khaled repeatedly reported being subjected to physical violence by prison officers. He frequently expressed severe suffering and stated that the conditions of detention were harsh and that imprisonment had exhausted him physically and psychologically.

In December 2024, Khaled Mabrouki was released from prison. His mother noticed visible blue bruises on his back, indicating that he had been subjected to physical violence during his detention. After his release, he continued to suffer from psychological distress resulting from his experience in prison and did not receive appropriate medical follow-up.

On April 29, 2025, Khaled Mabrouki set himself on fire and died at the scene. 

Human Rights Violations: 

The case of Khaled Mabrouki highlights several human rights violations that occurred during his detention at Borj Erroumi Prison and directly affected human dignity and the fundamental rights of detainees.

Khaled, who suffered from documented psychological disorders, was denied his right to health and adequate medical care throughout his imprisonment. Despite his family repeatedly submitting his medical file to the prison administration and the Citizen Relations Office, their requests were ignored on the grounds of prison overcrowding and long waiting lists. This constitutes a deprivation of treatment and necessary psychological monitoring, in violation of Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 43 of the 2022 Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia, which guarantees the right to health and obliges the State to provide healthcare without discrimination.

Furthermore, statements made by the victim before his death, as well as observations made by his mother following his release, indicate that he was subjected to physical violence during his detention. His mother observed blue bruises on his back, and Khaled repeatedly declared that he had been subjected to violence and ill-treatment. He also confirmed that prison conditions caused severe psychological and physical exhaustion. These elements constitute indicators of inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 25 of the 2022 Tunisian Constitution, which prohibits torture and ill-treatment under all circumstances.

In addition, the authorities failed to fulfill their obligation to protect the physical and psychological integrity of detainees, particularly persons with mental disorders. This failure contradicts the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), particularly Rule 24, which establishes the State’s responsibility for providing healthcare to prisoners, and Rule 27, which requires the prompt referral of detainees to specialized medical services when necessary.

The consequences of these violations became evident after Khaled’s release, as his psychological condition continued to deteriorate until he set himself on fire on April 29, 2025, resulting in his death. This tragic outcome indicates serious failures in the State’s duty of protection and care, reaching the level of negligence leading to death.