Opposition leader Ghannouchi collapses in Tunisian prison from heat exposure.
The severe heatwave in Tunisia has compounded the already dire conditions for inmates at Mornaguia prison, drawing attention to the broader implications of political imprisonment in the country. Recently, opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi fainted due to the oppressive temperatures, an incident witnessed by the daughter of another prominent political prisoner, underscoring urgent calls for reform and better treatment of detainees. This situation not only reflects the struggles within the prison system but also resonates with the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in Tunisia’s political landscape.
An intense heatwave has exacerbated the harsh conditions faced by inmates in Tunisia’s Mornaguia prison, leading to alarming incidents such as the recent fainting of jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi. Eyewitness accounts from Haifa Chebbi, the daughter of prominent political prisoner Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, reveal the staggering temperatures that have breached 52 degrees Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit) inside the prison. She described her visit as suffocating, stating that she struggled to breathe during her time there.
In her poignant online message shared via Facebook, Haifa recounted witnessing the 85-year-old Ghannouchi lose consciousness amid the oppressive heat. She noted that detainees are confined to cells no larger than 16 square meters (approximately 172 square feet) for most of the day, with only two hours allowed outside. These conditions have raised serious concerns over the treatment of elderly inmates, particularly as many, like Ghannouchi, have already spent multiple summers behind bars.
Ghannouchi, a former speaker of Tunisia’s parliament and leader of the Ennahda political movement, has been incarcerated since 2023. In 2025, he, along with 36 other opposition figures, faced charges of “conspiracy against state security,” drawing criticisms from international human rights advocates. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the plaintiffs’ imprisonment, citing violations of fairness and due process, which have led to global calls for reform and increased scrutiny of Tunisia’s legal framework.
While Haifa Chebbi was careful not to place blame on prison staff, she called attention to the urgent necessity for meaningful change in Tunisia, linking prison conditions to wider societal unrest fueled by ongoing water and electricity shortages. The imprisonment of opposition figures reflects increasing authoritarianism under President Kais Saied. Haifa urged her fellow Tunisians to take responsibility for the actions that would shape the future of their democracy, emphasizing the importance of collective mobilization in the face of oppression.
This recent event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing political struggles in Tunisia and the need for compassionate, reform-oriented approaches to the treatment of prisoners, especially the elderly, who bear the brunt of these inhumane surroundings.
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