Tunisia: security forces must not ‘inflame’ tense situation as country prepares for more anti-austerity rallies

Tunisian security forces must refrain from using excessive force and end their use of intimidation tactics against peaceful demonstrators, Amnesty International said on Friday.

During the past four days of anti-government demonstrations, security forces have used increasingly heavy-handed methods to disperse rallies and subsequently arrest protesters. One protester has died during the unrest, according to Amnesty International press release.

“The Tunisian authorities must prioritise the safety of peaceful protesters and ensure that security forces only use force where absolutely necessary and proportionate, and to protect the rights of others,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, adding that “these protests are happening in response to genuine economic hardship, and the role of the police should be to calm this tense situation, rather than to inflame it.”

TunisianMonitorOnLine

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