Tunisian parties welcome relaxation of the demonstration ban

Constituent Assembly of Tunisia Tunis – Nabil Zaghdoud The Tunisian government\'s decision to lift the ban on holding demonstrations in Avenue Habib Bourguiba in the capital,  has been welcomed by a number of parties and political figures in Tunisia, who saw the decision as a victory for freedom and law. This takes place at a time when the National Constituent Assembly is convening to hold  accountable,  the minister of interior in regard to the incidents witnessed in the Tunisian capital, on the occasion of Martyrs\' Day, that aroused resentment amongst many civil society groups.
The Republican Party expressed its pleasure that the ministry of the interior had overturned the ban. In an official statement it said: “This is a step on the right direction.”
The Republican Party, which is a coalition of moderate parties, declared it was “clinging to the formation of a true and independent investigative committee\" to ascertain the truth behind the events of 9 and 10 April, when Tunisian security forces were accused of using batons, tear gas and electric sticks to ward off demonstrators who had broken a ban preventing them from assembling in Avenue Habib Bourguiba.  This committee will determine who was responsible and inform the public of the outcome of its work, \"at the earliest time possible,” adding that “the unity of the democratic powers and the  vigilence of civil society will remain the main guarantee to safeguard the public and individual freedom, and protect the gains of the revolution.”
The Social Democratic Path movement, which is  also a coalition,  said that it was a \"positive step\" that the  government had \"back-tracked on its unjust decision\", adding: “This decision is considered a victory for freedom and law,” congratulating all those responsible in  political and civil society on the achievement.
The movement renewed its request for “an independent committee to seriously and objectively investigate and determine those responsible for the violence on April 9, 2012, which took place in the centre of the capital,” calling on “all members of civil society and democratic powers to be vigilant in defence of public and individual freedoms.\"
For his part, the spokesman of the Tunisian General Labour Union, Sami Tahri, said: “It is a brave and wise decision from the interior minister.\"
The al-Majd Party saluted the decision, saying that Habib Bourguiba Avenue is one of the \"iconic symbols of Tunisia’s liberation\".  
In an official statement, the party expressed its appreciation to all who participated in defending the rights of peaceful protesting in an atmosphere of public order and national unity.
A number of members of the National Constituent Assembly, organised a symbolic march in the main street of Tunis and met with the interior minister. They expressed their condemnation of the verbal and physical aggression that many citizens, human rights activists, journalists, national figures, and members of the assembly were exposed to by the security forces and groups of civilians suspected of belonging to the ruling party.
They also demanded an apology for the victims of repression and reiterated that banning demonstrations in Avenue Habib Bourguiba, was an illegal decision against the most basic public freedoms that people have gained thanks to their \"glorious revolution\".
The National Constituent Assembly will convene on Thursday evening to discuss the events of April 9.
The Interior Minister said on Wednesday that it had been decided to form an independent committee to investigate into the incidents in addition to deployment of surveillance cameras in Avenue Habib Bourguiba and issuing a conditional permission to hold demonstrations there.
The government’s spokesman Samir Dilou said that “the formulation of the committee and its members will be announced later.” He also stressed that it would be neutral and independent.