On 25 October 2017, the Commissioner Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and the Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living With HIV (PLHIV) and Those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV, transmitted a Letter of Appeal to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania regarding the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of thirteen (13) lawyers and activists in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, including two South African and one Ugandan nationals, whose passports were allegedly seized.
The Letter of Appeal raised concerns about the effect that this action by the State has on the work of human rights defenders, and also raised concerns about other affected rights, such as freedom of association, the right to receive and disseminate information related to health and discrimination on the basis of real or imputed sexual orientation or gender identity or ones status of HIV/AIDS or being at risk of HIV/AIDS. The Commission urged the State, among others, to take urgent corrective measures for the reinstatement of the liberty of those detained, including the return of the two South African and one Ugandan nationals to their respective countries.?
