Democratic Bloc’s Haykel Mekki said a petition to withdraw confidence from acting interior minister Hichem Mechichi and hold him accountable for serious human rights abuses is in the pipeline.

Premier Mechichi took over as interim interior minister after dismissing Taoufik Charfeddine last January 5.

Mekki told TAP on Saturday proposals in relation to the petition are welcome. The petition requires 73 signatures. A mjaority vote (109) is needed under Article 97 of the Constitution.

The move by the Democratic Bloc comes in response to policemen assaulting a minor in Sidi Hassine, Sijoumi.

The withdrawal of confidence is also driven by police handling of protests and questionable appointments in the ministry, the MP said.

Mechichi’s cabinet would have done better to discharge its mission in fighting terrorism and protecting Tunisians instead of seeking the endorsement of MPs.

Source: TAP News Agency