Tunisia disbands once-feared secret police

Tunisia's interim interior ministry has said it will dissolve the State Security Department, the nation's once feared secret police service.

On an online posting, the ministry added that it respect civic freedoms and rights and that the dissolution of the force will be a definitive break with any form of organization resembling the political police at the level of structure, mission or practice.”

In addition, the ministry declared that these practical measures are in harmony with the values of the revolution, in the wish to respect the law, in word and deed, and in consecrating the climate of confidence and transparency in the relationship between the security services and the citizen.”

Under the tenure of recently deposed President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the secret police were widely accused of committing human rights abuses, including illegal detention and torture of the opposition and of Islamists. They are also accused of spying on and harassing ordinary citizens,

Removal of the dreaded secret police has been a key demand of protesters.

An interim government will run Tunisia’s affairs until elections, which are scheduled to convene on July 24.

While some demonstrators have hailed reforms made by the new government in Tunisia, others complain that little has really changed in the country since Ben Ali departed almost two months ago.

Nothing has changed, said a student, according to BBC.

Another chimed in We don't trust the new government.

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