Tanzania joins the global community today in observing Human Rights Day, a yearly event dedicated to highlighting the rights and freedoms entitled to every person.
Established to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948, the day carries the 2025 global theme, “Our Everyday Essentials,” emphasizing the fundamental rights essential for dignity and daily life.
In Tanzania, Human Rights Day is not only a moment of reflection but also a reminder of the legal and constitutional commitments the country has embraced.
The 1977 Constitution enshrines the protection of human rights, while the government has ratified international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, making these obligations part of national law.
Tanzania has also received recognition for progress in governance reforms, with the Chandler Good Governance Index 2025 listing it among countries making significant improvements.
Government statements, including the 2025/26 budget speech from the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, have reaffirmed the country’s commitment to implementing international human rights standards.
Yet, the year 2025 has also exposed serious challenges. Human rights organizations and civil society groups report increasing violations before, during, and after the October 29 General Election.
Arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention of opposition figures, government critics, and human rights defenders have been widely reported.
Many of those arrested allege they were taken from their homes at night without legal procedures, and a significant number were held without access to bail despite constitutional protections.
These incidents have intensified public concern over adherence to national and international human rights laws.
Enforced disappearances and abductions have added to the unease, with more than 40 cases confirmed by authorities this year alone.
High-profile incidents involving politicians and activists, including the disappearance of CCM General Assembly member Daniel Nchonchorio, Tarime councillorship aspirant Siza Kaheta, and diplomat Humphrey Polepole, have heightened public anxiety.
While some missing persons were later found in police custody, others remain unaccounted for, leaving families in distress.
The use of excessive force by security agencies has also been reported, resulting in civilian deaths in several regions.
Some incidents have involved government authorities such as the Tanzania Forest Services and the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.
In the post-election period, fatalities among unarmed youths during protests were reported, with families lamenting delays or denial in returning the bodies of loved ones.
The government has acknowledged these deaths, although the exact numbers remain unclear.
Concerns over the application of treason charges against civilians have drawn attention both locally and internationally.
Opposition leader Tundu Lissu was arrested in April and charged with treason, marking the first such use of the law in more than 40 years.
His arrest, along with subsequent detentions of citizens peacefully gathering at court premises, underscores wider anxieties about the suppression of dissent.
Media freedom and access to information have also been under pressure. Reports indicate journalists have been detained for operating online platforms without licences, and online forums have been suspended.
Internet shutdowns on election day and prolonged restrictions on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, Clubhouse, and TikTok have further limited citizens’ ability to receive information, even as government agencies continue to use some of these platforms for official communication.
Religious freedoms have faced challenges as well, with reports of closures of places of worship and incidents targeting religious leaders, raising concerns about the erosion of the constitutional right to worship freely.
As the world marks Human Rights Day, the events of 2025 in Tanzania highlight the tension between progress in governance reforms and the ongoing need to safeguard civil liberties.
Observers urge authorities to reinforce the rule of law, ensure accountability for violations, and protect fundamental freedoms, emphasizing that respect for human rights remains essential for peace, national unity, and democratic development.