Tanzania: United Nations alarmed by incidents of abductions and torture to silence opposition and critics
GENEVA
The United Nations human rights experts have called upon the Government of Tanzania to immediately stop the enforced disappearance of political opponents, human rights defenders and journalists, as a tool of repression in the electoral context.
“Curtailing press and media freedom, and intimidating journalists and human rights defenders, is unacceptable. We are alarmed by reports of a pattern of repression in the lead-up to Tanzania’s general election in October,” the experts said.
This appeal follows the enforced disappearance of two human rights defenders and journalists, Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda, in Dar es Salaam on 19 May 2025.
While other observers were denied entry, Mwangi and Atuhaire came to Tanzania to observe the trial of political opposition leader Tindu Lissu, who was charged with treason and publishing false information.
They were arrested by police officers and their fate and whereabouts remained concealed. On 22 May 2025, Mwangi was found dumped in Ukunda, a coastal town in Kenya, and, a day later, Atuhaire was left in the border area between Tanzania and Uganda.
Both were allegedly ill-treated and tortured before being released.
Atuhaire was also reportedly sexually assaulted, highlighting the gendered nature of reprisals faced by women journalists and human rights defenders.
“More than 200 cases of abductions and enforced disappearance have been recorded in Tanzania since 2019,” the experts said.
“The recent arbitrary arrest, torture and enforced disappearance of Mwangi and Atuhaire seem to be a flagrant tactic to suppress dissent and circumvent due process laws.”
Opposition leaders and their supporters have reported a pattern of escalating attacks and human rights violations, primarily in regions where political tensions are high.
These violations include arbitrary arrests, harassment, torture, and the enforced disappearance of youth leaders, human rights defenders, and members of the political opposition.
“We urge Tanzanian authorities to immediately stop concealing information about those arrested, as this amounts to enforced disappearance. They must also investigate and hold perpetrators to account for all violations,” the experts said.
“The Government must provide justice and reparations to the victims. This includes access to gender-sensitive medical, psychological, and legal support services for survivors of torture and sexual violence.”
The experts have raised their concerns with relevant authorities.
The experts:
Gabriella Citroni, (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez, Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences
Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN.