Tunis , Tunisia ( CNN ) -- The number of people killed during riots in Tunisia recently is about 21 , the government said Wednesday , rejecting international media reports that the figure is higher . Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has fired Interior Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem , the government announced Wednesday , in the wake of the deadly protests over high unemployment and poor living conditions . Tunisian protests fueled by social media networks . Ahmad Freaa will be his replacement , Minister of Information Samir Abidi announced . Meanwhile , the government announced a curfew for the greater Tunis area from 8 p.m. Wednesday ( 2 p.m . ET ) until 6 a.m. Thursday ( midnight ET ) . Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi declined to answer a CNN question about whether live ammunition or snipers were used against demonstrators , saying those matters will be part of an investigation into the conduct of the security forces . Everyone arrested in the past few days has been released other than those accused of looting and vandalism , he said . Ghannouchi also announced that the government will begin providing a monthly grant and social security coverage to every unemployed person , providing they do nonprofit or volunteer work while looking for jobs . Sources with the Union of Tunisian Workers said eight people were killed Wednesday in demonstrations in the towns of Dkash and Douz in the southern part of the country . The union says more than 50 people have died since the demonstrations erupted . Lofti al Ahwal , a member of the union , said the organization is waiting for further action by the government before determining its next step . The union rejects government claims that members of al Qaeda have infiltrated the rioters , he said . Al Ahwal said violence will be met with violence , and cautioned that shooting at demonstrators will escalate the situation . The union is unable to control the angry crowds , he acknowledged , and some of the actions and statements from enraged rioters do not comply with union policy . The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights , Navi Pillay , urged the Tunisian government in a statement `` to ensure that its security forces cease using excessive force against demonstrators , and to launch transparent and credible investigations into the deaths . '' While the situation escalated over the weekend , deaths were also previously reported in preceding weeks , the statement said . `` Whatever the precise total ( of deaths ) , I am extremely concerned about the very high number of people killed in Tunisia in recent weeks , '' Pillay said . `` It is essential that basic international human rights norms and guidelines governing the use of firearms are urgently and strictly adhered to . '' Reports suggest that most protests have been peaceful and that security forces used excessive force , she said in the statement . A leading human rights group , Amnesty International , condemned Friday what it called a violent crackdown by Tunisian authorities on the recent protests . The wave of demonstrations was sparked by the suicide of an unemployed college graduate in early December . Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in front of a government building in the town of Sidi Bouzid after police confiscated his fruit cart , saying he was selling without a permit , according to Amnesty International . He died January 4 from his injuries . The protests grew in size and sometimes turned violent . Human rights groups said last week at least three others have died since the protests started -- two demonstrators shot by police and another man who electrocuted himself by touching a 30,000-megawatt pole and shouting , `` No to misery ! No to unemployment ! '' Amnesty reported that 10 other protesters have been injured in confrontations with security forces and that lawyers have been singled out for beatings and arrest after a nationwide sit-in on December 31 . If there is evidence that members of the security forces have used excessive force or conducted extra-judicial killings , they should be arrested , tried and -- if convicted -- punished , Pillay said in the statement . She also expressed concern about reports of widespread arrests , including those of human rights advocates and bloggers advocating human rights , as well as reports that those detained are being mistreated and tortured . `` While it is correct that people should be arrested if there is evidence they have committed crimes such as violence or arson , no one should be arrested or harassed for standing up for human rights , '' she said . `` Human rights defenders and bloggers , arrested solely for their peaceful activities , must be released immediately . '' Tunisian authorities have said they are acting in self-defense . Security forces fired on protesters in December , the state-run TAP news agency reported at the time . Witnesses say the demonstrators consisted largely of people urging the government to improve social services . Tunisia 's government called them violent troublemakers . Tunisia has been ruled for 23 years by Ben Ali , an ally of Western powers and a target of activist and human rights groups that claim he runs a corrupt police state that has infringed on citizens ' rights .
NEW : A curfew is established in the greater Tunis area . The U.N. human rights commissioner says the deaths should be investigated . The prime minister will not say if police used live ammunition on demonstrators . About 21 people died in the riots , the government says , rejecting higher claims .