Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the United Republic of Tanzania. ACHPR/Res.640 (LXXXIV) 2025
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission), meeting at its 84th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 21 to 30 July 2025:
Recalling its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Bearing in mind its previous Resolutions on Elections in Africa including: Resolutions ACHPR/Res.23 (XIX) 96; ACHPR/Res.133 (XXXXIIII) 08; ACHPR/Res.164 (XLVII) 2010; ACHPR/Res.174 (XLVIII) 2010; ACHPR/Res.232 (EXT.OS/XIII) 2013; ACHPR/Res.239 (EXT.OS/XIV) 2013; ACHPR/Res. 272 (LV) 2014; ACHPR/Res.293 (EXT.OS/XVII) 2015 andACHPR/Res. 331 (EXT.OS/XIX) 2016;
Cognizant of Resolution ACHPR.Res.580(LXXVIII)2024on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa which calls on States Parties to take the necessary legislative and other measures to ensure open and secure internet access before, during and after elections, including ensuring that telecommunications and internet service providers take adequate steps to provide unrestricted and uninterrupted access;
Recalling the obligations of the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) under the African Charter and other regional and international human rights instruments which it has ratified;
Deeply concerned by the reports of human rights violations, occurring in the context of the elections to be held in Tanzania in 2025;
Noting with concern the reports of the violent repression of rallies and other public assemblies, including on 09 April 2025 following the arrest of Mr. Tundu Lissu, and on 24 April 2025 at Kisitu Magistrates Court when opposition leaders and supporters were denied attendance to the hearing in Mr. Lissu’s case;
Further notingwith concern the allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests which have condemned by UN human rights experts, the European Parliament, among others;
Condemning the reports on the deportation of the former Minister of Justice and former Chief Justice of Kenya and their team on 18 May 2025, in addition to the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of human rights activists from Uganda and Kenya, who were subsequently deported to their countries on 19 May 2025 seemingly without cause or recourse to judicial review;
Further concerned about the restrictions on access to information, free press and freedom of speech in Tanzania, including the blocking of access to X (formerly Twitter) on 04 June 2025, and limitations on access to other social media platforms including Youtube, with some content reportedly inaccessible, and the popular social audio app Clubhouse and messaging service Telegram inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks;
The Commission calls on the Government of Tanzania to:
- Ensure respect of regional and international human rights standards in general, and particularly in relation to the elections scheduled to be held in October 2025;
- Investigate the reports of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrest, the suppression of the rallies and other public assemblies;
- Ensure freedom of expression and access to information, during the electoral period, including providing unrestricted and uninterrupted access to the internet;
- Create conducive conditions to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections, in order to allow citizens to exercise their right to vote in an environment free of intimidation, violence, or any other impediment;
- Ensure the protection of human rights defenders and activists in Tanzania, and investigate all reports of violations committed against them;
- Investigate the reported detention and mistreatment of human rights activists from Uganda and Kenya, with the view to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for committing human rights violations and providing reparations to the victims as timeously as possible;
- Implement the constitutional and legal reforms ordered by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including to ensure independent candidates can contest in elections, and that national courts have the authority to adjudicate on any election disputes.
