Tunisia's new government update...

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghannouchi, who declared himself interim president of Tunisia on January 14, 2011, following the departure of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, should immediately order security forces to end the use of unjustifiable lethal force against civilians and bring to justice those responsible for any criminal use of force, Human Rights Watch said today. The interim government should also begin releasing all prisoners held for acts of peaceful expression or peaceful political activities, Human Rights Watch said.


Tunisian police have killed dozens of protesters by firing into crowds in the inland cities of Kasserine, Thala, Regueb, as well as in the capital, Tunis, during political violence that has beset the country since December 17, 2010.

"Nothing can better signal the change that Tunisians have been demanding than concrete steps to end the bloody repression, allowing citizens to exercise their rights peacefully, and freeing political prisoners," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

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