Kenyan Lawyer and politician Martha Karua and other activists have petitioned the African Union Commission (AUC) over Tanzania’s ‘deteriorating rule of law.’
In the letter also copied to the East African Community, Ms Karua cited the torture of activist Boniface Mwangi and the missing Ugandan rights defender Agather Atuha.
“The detention of Mr Mwangi and Ms Atuhire was preceded by the deportation of six other international Trial Observers who included a former Chief Justice, former Minister of Justice, and a member of the Law Society of Kenya Council who had arrived at the Julius Nyerere International Airport on the same mission,” she stated.
The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) indicated that the situation presents a serious breach of both national and international human rights standards and is evidence of a dangerous trend of coordinated abductions, forced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings in the region.”
“We ask you to raise this matter in bilateral discussions with Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, emphasising the importance of transparency and adherence to legal procedures,” the activists suggested.
They also recommended the deployment of diplomatic observers to attend court proceedings against Tundu Lissu, Tanzania’s leader of the opposition party, at Kisutu Court.
“We call upon your offices to invoke applicable international human rights mechanisms, including UN Special Procedures and regional human rights bodies,” the activists requested.
In the letter, Karua and other activists slammed Suluhu’s actions, including the torture of Mwangi and the continued detention of Atuhaire, which they said threatened the rule of law and human rights principles.
“This situation represents not only a humanitarian concern for the individuals involved but also a troubling indicator of deteriorating human rights and justice standards within the East African Community,” read part of the letter.
Boniface Mwangi was earlier on thursaday 22nd May 2025, deported and dumped in Ukunda, Kwale after being released from Tanzania, where he had been detained for four days.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Mwangi was to be transferred to Nairobi for treatment.
“He is in high spirits. The Commission and other partners are making arrangements to transfer him to Nairobi for medical attention,” KNCHR stated.
The release comes after the Kenyan government wrote a protest letter to the Tanzanian government over the lack of access to activist Boniface Mwangi following his arrest in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that since Mwangi’s arrest, consular officials were able to access him despite several requests.
