TUNIS, Tunisia, July 29 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch said Monday it's heard reports of excessive use of tear gas used by police in Tunisia to break up peaceful protests.
The rights group said last week's assassination of opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi prompted his supporters to suspend their activity in the government. Protests in Tunis corresponded with his Saturday funeral.
Tunisian residents told the rights group police beat protesters and used tear gas to break up peaceful protests in front of government buildings in Tunis.
Deputy Director of Middle East Programs at Human Rights Watch Nadim Houry said heavy police action would only lead to more violence.
"The killing of a high-profile political figure on the street in broad daylight is all the more reason why Tunisians need to know that the government intends to protect their rights," he said in a statement Monday.
Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou should order a prompt investigation into police action, the rights group said.
Brahmi was critical of policies enacted by Ennahda, the political group that took power in Tunisia after the country's revolution in 2011.
Ennahda said it would investigate the assassination.
