By Adonis Byemelwa
In
a stunning escalation, Amnesty International has aligned with local human
rights defenders to fiercely condemn the Tanzanian Police Force's arrest of
Chadema leaders, including Freeman Mbowe, and several journalists.
These shocking detentions, coming just before
Tanzania's crucial local and general elections, have ignited a firestorm of
criticism, with advocates decrying this brazen assault on fundamental freedoms.
The
group of detainees, which includes senior members of Chadema, journalists, and
other stakeholders, was apprehended en route to Mbeya to participate in World
Youth Day celebrations organized by the Chadema Youth Council (Bavicha). The
police, however, intervened, banning the event, citing potential disruptions to
public order.
The
move has drawn widespread criticism, with Amnesty International issuing a
strongly worded statement today, August 12, 2024, calling on Tanzanian
authorities to uphold and protect the human rights of all citizens, especially
as the nation approaches critical elections.
"Authorities
must cease the unlawful arrests of opposition politicians and remove barriers
to the right of citizens to assemble," Amnesty International stated,
demanding the immediate release of all those detained and stressing that any
legal actions should respect the rights of the accused.
The
Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has also voiced its concerns, condemning the
arrests and pointing out the selective enforcement of the law. The society
highlighted Article 18 and 20(1) of Tanzania’s Constitution, which guarantees
the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. TLS President
Boniface Mwabukusi emphasized that these rights are also protected under
various international and regional treaties ratified by Tanzania, which the
government is obliged to honor.
TLS
further criticized the actions of the Tanzanian Police Force and the Office of
the Registrar of Political Parties for their heavy-handed approach, especially
when dealing with opposition parties. "The Police Force, along with the
Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, has been overly rigorous in
taking legal action, particularly when inflammatory statements are made by
ruling party leaders," the TLS statement read. It also lamented the
erosion of the "4Rs" agenda—Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and
Reconstruction—championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The
TLS called on the police to respect the rule of law and focus on their primary
duty of protecting citizens and their property rather than interfering in
political party activities, which are regulated by the Political Parties Act.
"We
urge the Police Force to immediately cease actions that suggest the suppression
of the right to assemble and express oneself, which constitutes a violation of
the Constitution and the laws of the country," the statement asserted. The
TLS has tasked a special committee of lawyers to assess the situation and
pursue appropriate legal measures against officials responsible for this
incident, ensuring the proper use of public office powers.
The
Editors’ Forum of Tanzania (TEF), in a statement that went viral on Azam TV,
demanded the unconditional release of three journalists who were arrested
outside Chadema’s office in Mbeya while awaiting interviews with party leaders.
The journalists—Ramadhan Hamis, Fadhili Kirundwa of Jambo TV, and Francis
Simba, a cameraman for Chanzo TV—were reportedly detained without cause.
TEF
Chairman Deodatus Balile invoked Article 18 of Tanzania’s Constitution, which
guarantees the right to gather, process, and disseminate information without
territorial limitations. He also referenced Section 7(1)(a)(b) and (c) of the
Media Services Act of 2016, as amended in 2023, which protects the rights of
journalists to perform their duties. Balile stressed that journalists are
mandated to inform the public on ongoing matters and should not be arrested or
punished for fulfilling this role.
In
a powerful rebuke, TEF condemned the arrests, warning that such actions
undermine Tanzania’s hard-earned reputation for protecting press freedom—a
legacy restored by President Samia Suluhu Hassan since she assumed office on
March 19, 2021.
"We
strongly condemn the arrest of journalists. These incidents tarnish the
significant progress Tanzania has made in upholding media freedom under
President Samia's leadership. We do not wish to see a return to the dark days
of arbitrary detentions. We demand the immediate release of the detained
journalists," Balile declared.
The
implications of these arrests are far-reaching, raising concerns about the
Tanzanian government’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights. As
the country approaches a pivotal electoral period, the actions of the police
and other state organs could cast a long shadow over the integrity of the
electoral process and the broader political environment.
The
global community, along with local human rights organizations, will be closely
watching Tanzania’s next steps, which will likely determine the trajectory of
its democratic development in the coming years.
