This is a joint communication from Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, Umoja Empowerment Resources (UER), African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders, Civic

Space Network, ICJ Kenya Section, Pan Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, Kenya National Coalition and 1

We write to bring your urgent attention to the ongoing and escalating crackdown, and perpetration of gross human rights violations including enforced disappearances, against opposition political parties, civil society organisations, journalists and human rights defenders in Tanzania.2

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s accession to power in March 2021, following the passing of former President Magufuli, raised hopes for more open and democratic governance in Tanzania. However, ahead of the current administration facing its first local and general elections in November 2024 and October 2025 respectively, the Tanzanian authorities are brutally and systematically closing civic and political space. On 11 August 2024, in the lead up to International Youth Day on 12 August, Tanzanian security forces arrested and detained more than 500 people, including senior leaders of the main opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA); with reports of police brutality, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and unlawful confiscation of personal property. Widespread reports of enforced disappearances, particularly of young people, are also leading to protests, and restrictions of free expression, both off and online. This follows similar reports of arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation of opposition political activists, lawyers, indigenous communities, and other civil society actors throughout 2023, effectively silencing dissent and criticism of the state.

These actions undermine democratic principles and constitute severe violations of international human rights law, curtailing rights to freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and personal liberty, enshrined in the Tanzanian constitution and key international treaties to which Tanzania is a state party. We respectfully request urgent intervention from your honourable mandates, including an urgent appeal to the government of Tanzania and statement, to address these violations and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of Tanzanian civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and political actors.