UN human rights experts called on the Tanzanian government to immediately cease the use of enforced disappearances on Friday. They expressed grave concern over a growing pattern of violence, repression, and abuse in Tanzania targeting opposition members, youth leaders, and human rights advocates.
In yesterday’s call to action, the experts “urge Tanzanian authorities to stop concealing information about those arrested, as this constitutes enforced disappearance.” They also condemned the government’s restrictions on press and media freedom, warning that intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders must end. These actions are taking place as part of a broader government crackdown, ahead of Tanzania’s upcoming general election in October.
Tanzania is facing growing international condemnation for its continued use of enforced disappearance to suppress political opposition, journalists, and human rights defenders. This practice directly violates its obligations under international human rights conventions.
In October 2024, opposition leader Aisha Machano was abducted and later released with serious injuries. According to her account, the abductors identified themselves as the Police Force. In April 2025, Tundu Lissu, chairman of the opposition party Chadema, was arbitrary arrested after posting on social media about possible election tampering.
Human Rights Watch has also highlighted ongoing arbitrary arrests and harassment. Police in the city of Tanga reportedly detained Chadema official Kombo Twaha Mbwana beyond the legally permitted 24 hours. Amnesty International has echoed these concerns, stating that enforced disappearance and excessive use of force continued to be used as tools to suppress dissent.
Tanzania is a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. The Convention prohibits enforced disappearance under any circumstances. It defines the practice as the arrest, detention, abduction, or any other form of deprivation of liberty by state agents or persons acting on their behalf. Specifically, Article 24 of the Convention obliges states to ensure justice and reparations for victims, including access to legal, psychological, and medical support. Ellie Cho | U. Ottawa Faculty of Law, CA, Jurist News
