Cairo 9 April 2012

ANHRI condemns what was done by Tunisian security forces on 7 April suppressing a peaceful demonstration organized by a group of unemployed walking in Habib Burguibah Avenue in the heart of the Tunisian capital.

The security forces have responded violently to the peaceful protesters who are demanding jobs and social justice, which caused a number of casualties among the demonstrators in addition to an attack on the press Ghazi El Mabrouk who was covering the demonstration, in a reminiscent scene of the era of “Ben Ali”.

It should be noted that the Tunisian Ministry of Interior announced in a previous statement the prevention of demonstrations in Habib Bourguiba Avenue after attacks made by extremists against the celebration of the special day of the World of Theater, and on the pretext that the shopkeepers complaints of being affected by the demonstrations.

In a parallel line, Ayman Matouq, Amin El Ayyashi and Fathi Omayra, journalists and photographers in Nesma Channel were attacked verbally and physically by a group of extremists during their professional work covering a demonstration organized by the National Democratic Party of Tunisia in front of the municipal theater of the city of Safax on 8 April.

ANHRI commented: “It is unfortunate that the Tunisian authorities after a popular uprising prevent the right to peaceful protest and resist the peaceful demonstrators by force.”

“Tunisian authorities should’ve respect freedom of opinion and peaceful expression and safeguard this right, whether in the street or in the new legislation, especially the Constitution, of course” Added ANHRI.

Also available in : العربية