Tunisia: Deadly assault in Tunis shows utter disregard for life
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 18 March 2015 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Tunisia: Deadly assault in Tunis shows utter disregard for life, 18 March 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550bd9b74.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Today's armed attack that killed at least 19 people, according to the Tunisian Prime Minister, and injured many more in a museum in central Tunis shows an utter disregard for the right to life, Amnesty International said.
The organization is calling on the authorities to ensure that all those involved in planning and carrying out this attack are apprehended and brought to justice.
"This deadly attack, which in itself is utterly deplorable, must not be allowed to derail what many regard as the region's most successful transition from authoritarianism to the rule of law and respect for human rights," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Programme Director at Amnesty International.
"The best answer to this atrocity would be bringing those responsible to justice in fair trials. A return to the draconian measures of the Ben Ali years which trample over human rights would compound the tragedy of this crime and is likely to play into the hands of those trying to undermine Tunisia's transition."
Security forces killed two gunmen at the scene of the attack – the Bardo Museum beside Tunisia's Parliament. They are still searching for accomplices, and no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to a statement by Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid, two Tunisians, including a police officer, as well as Italian, Spanish, Polish and German nationals were among those killed.
