Tunisian government must respect rights amid protests

Amnesty International has reiterated its call on the Tunisian authorities to respect human rights amid a renewed wave of anti-government protests across the country today.

Police in the capital Tunis reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators calling for the party of ex-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to relinquish power, ahead of the expected formation of a new coalition government.

A state of emergency was imposed in Tunisia as Ben Ali fled the country on Friday.

"Amid political uncertainty in Tunisia, the government must do all it can to protect Tunisians from further violence," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at Amnesty International.

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