Western embassies press for release of bodies of poll violence

Western embassies in Tanzania, including the United Kingdom and France, have called on authorities to hand over the bodies of all those killed in October’s election violence to their families.

Citing “credible reports”, the 17 missions said there was “evidence of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests” and “hiding of bodies” by Tanzanian authorities during the unrest.

Tanzania did not comment, but the statement comes just days after President Samia Suluhu Hassan angrily criticized Western countries, accusing them of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Hundreds were reported killed in the violence, although the government has not announced an official toll.

The authorities violently suppressed large-scale demonstrations that followed the presidential elections held on 29 October, in which President Samia was declared the winner with approximately 98% of the vote.

Samia’s main rivals were banned from participating, sparking widespread anger over the fairness of the presidential race, which the opposition denounced as a “mockery of democracy.”

Authorities also imposed an internet blackout and threatened anyone who shared photos from the protests.

Samia defended the integrity of the elections and rejected criticism of her human rights record.

At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests, but the president later sought to ease tensions and asked prosecutors to “show leniency.” Several defendants have reportedly already been released.

In April, opposition leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason and remains behind bars.

In a joint statement on Friday, a coalition of Western embassies in Tanzania urged President Samia’s government to release political prisoners and allow detainees access to legal and medical assistance.

The statement issued by the European Union delegation and several EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland added: “We call on the authorities to urgently release all the bodies of the dead to their families.”

They welcomed the government’s decision to investigate the causes and circumstances of the violence, but stressed that the investigation be independent, transparent and comprehensive, and that civil society, religious organizations and political stakeholders participate.

“We reiterate our call on the government to fulfill its international obligations to protect the fundamental freedoms and constitutional rights of all Tanzanians to access information and express themselves freely,” they added.

The statement comes amid increasing diplomatic pressure on Tanzania over reported human rights violations during the disputed elections.

The Tanzanian government has “intensified its campaign against opponents since the vote,” Saif Majango, spokesman for the UN Human Rights Office, said on Friday at a press conference in Geneva.

“Reports indicate that since mid-November, dozens of individuals, including academics, civil society representatives and local political leaders, have been arrested, with many of the arrests allegedly carried out by unidentified armed individuals,” Maganjo added.

He added that hundreds were killed and more than 2,000 others were arrested after demonstrations broke out following the elections.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained.”

The US government said on Thursday it was reconsidering relations with Tanzania in the wake of its violent response to protesters.

The State Department said the United States “cannot condone actions that endanger the safety of our citizens or the security and stability of the region.”

In a defiant speech on Tuesday, President Samia defended the use of force as “necessary” against protesters who were “ready to overthrow the government.”

It repeated accusations that unnamed foreign parties colluded with opposition groups to bring about “regime change,” without providing evidence to support this claim.

Samia said that her government is ready to confront the demonstrators in new demonstrations scheduled to be organized on Tuesday next week.

The 65-year-old took office in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president following the death of President John Magufuli.

It was initially praised for easing political repression, but the political space has since narrowed.