Human rights experts from the United Nations (UN) have raised serious concerns over a troubling increase in enforced disappearances and torture cases in Tanzania. These incidents have primarily affected political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders, especially as the country prepares for its general elections in October 2025.
The UN experts have called on the Tanzanian government to immediately put an end to these tactics, which they say are being used to suppress dissent. “Restricting media freedom and intimidating journalists and human rights defenders is unacceptable,” the experts stated. They also expressed alarm over the growing reports of political repression leading up to the election period.
The recent case of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire highlights the severity of the issue. On May 19th 2025, both were abducted in Dar es Salaam while heading to observe the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. They were reportedly tortured, sexually assaulted and held incommunicado for several days before being released. This case is part of a larger pattern that has seen over 200 similar disappearances in the country since 2019.
The UN experts have urged the Tanzanian authorities to stop concealing information about those who are arrested and ensure that the perpetrators of these violations are held accountable. They emphasized that the ongoing repression is a serious threat to the country’s democratic processes, especially as Tanzania heads into an important election year. The international community continues to call for urgent action to protect human rights in Tanzania and ensure justice for those who have been subjected to abuse.
Tanzania has faced growing international scrutiny over its handling of political opposition and the media. Over the past few years, there has been an increasing number of cases where journalists and activists have been targeted by security forces, leading to accusations of political repression. The UN and other global human rights organizations are calling for Tanzania to respect the rights of its citizens and ensure a fair, transparent election process.
