The European People’s Party (EPP) Group has nominated Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Union’s highest human rights honour.
The trial comes after Tanzania weathered international criticism over its handling of protests around national polls last year, in which thousands were killed according to the opposition and rights activists. (Photo by AFP)
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work, awarded annually to individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Lissu, a lawyer, human rights activist and veteran politician, survived a 2017 assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times. He later returned to Tanzania to continue his campaign for democratic reform, only to face arrest, treason charges and exclusion from the 2025 presidential election. His party was also barred from participating in the vote.
The EPP Group said his case reflects the wider erosion of democratic pluralism and political competition in Tanzania.
The group described Lissu as embodying a powerful combination of personal courage, democratic conviction and geopolitical relevance. His nomination, it said, affirms that Europe stands with those defending constitutional democracy and political freedom in Africa and in other partner countries of the EU.
Lissu, the group added, represents the defence of democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms at extraordinary personal cost.
