We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania.
Credible reports we have received indicate that at least 10 people were killed in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Morogoro as the security forces used firearms and teargas to disperse protesters. A nationwide curfew is in place, and access to the internet appears to have been widely restricted since the 29 October general election, without any official reasons being given.
We call on the security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal weapons, against protesters, and to make every effort to deescalate tensions. Protesters should demonstrate peacefully.
We urge the authorities to fully uphold Tanzania's obligations under international human rights law. They must promptly reinstate access to the internet and facilitate citizens' full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Curtailment of communication will only further undermine public trust in the electoral process.
The violent post-election scenes come in the aftermath of electoral campaigns marred by allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition figures, including the opposition Chadema party leader and his deputy, and reported enforced disappearances of people expressing dissenting views, including the country's former ambassador to Cuba.
All those in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released and those held legally must be accorded full due process and fair trial rights.
We urge the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
