CIVICUS calls on Tanzanian authorities to immediately end all systematic repressions and crackdown of media outlets, journalists, civil society activists, and politicians. We urge the government to protect and promote the fundamental freedoms of the citizens.
The recent repressions and crackdowns include illegal arrests, arbitrary detentions, suspension of news outlets, and threats and intimidation of activists which contradict President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s pledges, 2022 reversal of bans and earlier steps to protect civic space.
On 02 October 2024, three online news outlets, the Citizen, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti were suspended for 30 days for publishing cartoons deemed critical of President Suluhu. The suspension is a gross violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including media freedoms. It creates a chilling effect, instilling fear and stifling progress on human rights, civic freedoms, development work and access to information.
In recent months, numerous activists were targeted, and have been arrested, detained, prosecuted, and physically assaulted . Two weeks before the ban on 18 September 2024, activist Boniface Jacob was arrested on trumped up charges of spreading false information. He was released on bail after 19 days in custody without legitimate charges. Earlier, he had been arrested in April 2021 on false charges of inciting and causing public panic.
“We appreciate the early progressive measures of the President. However, the ongoing detentions, like that of Boniface Jacob, by state security forces without legitimate charges and delayed bail processes amounts to judicial harassment. It is a worrying new trend of repression against activists and curtailing of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Tanzania is a country that has struggled for decades to provide its citizens with fundamental rights,” said Odero Oderos, a human rights defender and Director of Civic and Legal Aid Organization, a member of the CIVICUS global civil society alliance.
Yet again, the government of Tanzania has resorted to silencing and threatening press freedom and independent media, eroding the critical foundations of democratic and accountable governance. Such action stifles the essential work of the human rights defenders and civil society. They violate the Tanzanian government’s international human rights obligations, and take away citizens fundamental freedoms of association, expression, and assembly.
As the country plans for 2025 general elections, there is increased repression on dissenting opinions and political views. Three opposition party members Deusidit Soka, Frank Mbise, and Jacob Mlay have been disappeared. It has been 50 days now since they were abducted. Mohamed Ali Kibao has been murdered. In the past two months, the government has banned two rallies by the opposition party Chadema and arrested its leaders and supporters. CIVICUS Monitor rates the space for civil society in Tanzania as Repressed.
CIVICUS calls on the government of Tanzania to:
- Immediately and unconditionally drop all false allegations against Boniface Jacob.
- Respect the human rights of citizens, including freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
- Urgently and immediately release those abducted and all detained peaceful protesters and activists unconditionally.
- Immediately and unconditionally rescind the suspension of the three online news outlets: The Citizen, Mwananchi and Mwanaspoti.
- Restrain from using excessive and illegal force against peaceful protesters.
- Urgently investigate human rights abuses committed by security forces and hold to account all members found guilty.
- Remove all restrictions on civic freedoms, and allow free speech, association, and protests without fear of reprisals and retribution.
- Amend all restrictive provisions in the Electronic and Postal Communications Act, 2020. Incorporate inputs from media houses, journalists, and civil society and ensure the legislation complies with the Constitution and regional and international human rights mechanisms and instruments.
Notes to the editor:
CIVICUS Monitor is an online platform that tracks threats to civil society in countries across the globe.
The Civic and Legal Aid Organization, based in Arusha, Tanzania. The organisation focuses on civic engagements, awareness, education, and provision of legal services.