A/HRC/19/61/Add.1 independent inquiry into the accusations against him, which he assumed formed the basis of his isolation detention regime. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the decision of the Ministry of Justice to launch an inquiry into the circumstances of this case. C. 1. The way forward Transitional Government: challenges facing the country 67. On 14 January 2011, former President Ben Ali fled the country. On 17 January 2011, a Government of national unity composed of members of the former President’s party and the Constitutional Democratic Rally was formed. On assuming power, the interim Government announced the creation of two committees to advise on political and legal reforms and to investigate corruption, as well as a commission to investigate grave violations of human rights committed since 17 December 2010. On 27 January, after protests demanding the removal of the agents of the former Government, the Prime Minister announced a cabinet reshuffle and the formation of a second interim Government. On 25 February, the Prime Minister resigned and was replaced by an interim Prime Minister, who formed a new interim Government on 7 March 2011. 68. The current interim Government assumed its mission following decades in which the very foundation of the rule of law and the implementation of the absolute prohibition of torture had been absent at the judicial and executive levels. Therefore, it has come under immense pressure to break the cycle of impunity and restore justice for past and recent acts of torture and ill-treatment. In response, the interim Government has taken some steps towards ensuring accountability, democratic governance and long-term reforms. However, it faces the usual challenges of transition, and a crisis of legitimacy and leadership, as well as public scrutiny, growing frustration, disappointment and criticism over the delayed delivery of justice. Moreover, the “wait and see” attitude of the interim administration may be hampering the possibility of taking bold steps to achieve justice for past abuses and provide victims of torture with rehabilitation services. 2. Addressing the past and restoring justice: fighting impunity and investigating torture claims 69. The interim Government has undertaken a series of positive steps, including considering a reform of the State security apparatus, dismantling the so-called political police, and reviewing national legislation to bring it into line with international standards. It has also pledged to remove legal obstacles to reopening the cases of homicide and torture of the past and has dismissed a number of high- and mid-ranking officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice. 70. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the announcement of the Ministry of the Interior on 7 March that it was disbanding the notorious DSS, also known as the “political police”. However, he notes that there is still a lack of clarity as regards the number of personnel affected by this change, and actions to determine their possible responsibility for serious crimes against human rights have not been made public. The Special Rapporteur was told by officials, including the Director General of Police, that members of the former DSS have not been excluded from the security forces but rather redeployed to other police units. He also heard allegations and observed widespread frustration that some elements of the security forces and former officials who may be responsible for violations of human rights have not been barred from politics. 14