The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed deep concern over the deadly protests that have erupted in Tanzania following the recent general election.
According to credible reports, at least 10 people have been killed and many more injured as security forces used firearms and tear gas to disperse protesters in cities like Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro.
The UN Human Rights office has condemned the use of unnecessary and disproportionate force by security forces, calling on them to refrain from using lethal weapons and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions. “We urge the security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to de-escalate tensions,” the statement reads.
The protests have been further exacerbated by a nationwide curfew and widespread restrictions on internet access, which appear to have been imposed without official explanation. The UN Human Rights office has called on the authorities to promptly reinstate access to the internet and facilitate citizens’ full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The violent post-election scenes come amid allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition figures, including the Chadema party leader and his deputy, as well as reported enforced disappearances of people expressing dissenting views. The UN Human Rights office has urged the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those in arbitrary detention and to ensure that those held legally are accorded full due process and fair trial rights.
Furthermore, the UN Human Rights office has emphasized the need for prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. The statement underscores the importance of upholding Tanzania’s obligations under international human rights law and respecting the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression
