International Mediterranean Children’s Protection Organization (OIPEM) Launches Immediate Legal Action Over the Suicide of 15‑Year‑Old Student Yassine Aïfa in Mahdia Governorate
The International Mediterranean Children’s Protection Organization (OIPEM) announced today that it has initiated judicial proceedings following the tragic suicide of 15‑year‑old student Yassine Aïfa in the Mahdia governorate. According to the organization, the teenager took his own life after enduring repeated episodes of school bullying.
Legal steps against the perpetrators’ families
In a press release, OIPEM stated that it has filed legal actions against the parents of the pupils involved in the harassment. The organization stresses that this tragedy cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident; rather, it is the culmination of a prolonged environment of violence, exclusion, and stigmatization targeting a student with special needs.
Collective failure to protect children’s rights
OIPEM condemned what it describes as a collective failure to safeguard children’s right to dignity and safety within the school setting. The statement highlights the assaults on the victim’s personal belongings and the moral aggression he suffered, labeling these as serious ethical breaches that clash with the educational and humanitarian values schools are meant to embody.
Call for an urgent, thorough investigation
The organization has appealed to the public prosecutor and the Child Protection Delegation to open an immediate, in‑depth inquiry. OIPEM demands that:
- Classmates of the deceased be interviewed.
- The teaching and administrative staff of the school be questioned.
- The full scope of the bullying acts be documented and examined for any causal link to the suicide.
Holding the educational institution accountable
OIPEM also insists on identifying institutional responsibilities should investigations reveal shortcomings in the prevention, detection, or handling of bullying cases. Any proven failure to apply disciplinary or preventive measures, the organization argues, must be met with appropriate legal sanctions.
Demand for a binding national anti‑bullying plan
Beyond the immediate case, OIPEM is urging the Tunisian authorities to adopt an urgent, binding national plan to combat school bullying, which should include:
- Secure reporting mechanisms for victims and witnesses.
- Psychological support services for affected students.
- Strengthened training programs for teachers, school staff, and administrators.
The organization warns that the issue cannot be treated with indifference, reminding stakeholders that the dignity and protection of children constitute an absolute red line that tolerates no compromise.
Read also: Mahdia: an autistic student succumbs after self‑immolation following bullying
Keywords: school bullying, child protection, legal action, Mahdia, autistic student, OIPEM, Tunisia, education safety, anti‑bullying legislation.
