In a letter released today, 30 NGOs draw UN Human Rights Council Members’ and Observers’ attention to Tanzania’s deteriorating human rights situation.
They suggest several steps to address the crisis, including a public briefing by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and, if needed, the convening of a special session of the Council.
This call is issued ahead of major protests, planned for 9 December 2025, with risks of further violence and as “treason” charges have been brought against hundreds of Tanzanians and authorities are propagating an aggressive rhetoric targeting civil society and protesters.
The letter’s signatories highlight that the Human Rights Council “should act urgently to prevent a further deterioration of Tanzania’s human rights situation and ensure justice and accountability for serious human rights violations,” as concerns exist over the credibility of the recently-announced national commission of inquiry. The letter refers to the Human Rights Council’s prevention mandate and risks of further serious human rights violations.
“Should the situation further deteriorate,” signatories write, “States should consider convening a special session of the Human Rights Council to address the grave human rights violations committed in the context of the Tanzanian authorities’ crackdown on 2025 post-election protests and the rule of law.”
They suggest several steps to address the crisis, including a public briefing by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and, if needed, the convening of a special session of the Council.
This call is issued ahead of major protests, planned for 9 December 2025, with risks of further violence and as “treason” charges have been brought against hundreds of Tanzanians and authorities are propagating an aggressive rhetoric targeting civil society and protesters.
The letter’s signatories highlight that the Human Rights Council “should act urgently to prevent a further deterioration of Tanzania’s human rights situation and ensure justice and accountability for serious human rights violations,” as concerns exist over the credibility of the recently-announced national commission of inquiry. The letter refers to the Human Rights Council’s prevention mandate and risks of further serious human rights violations.
“Should the situation further deteriorate,” signatories write, “States should consider convening a special session of the Human Rights Council to address the grave human rights violations committed in the context of the Tanzanian authorities’ crackdown on 2025 post-election protests and the rule of law.”
Tanzania: the international community should act to prevent further violations - DefendDefenders
Following the Tanzanian authorities’ brutal response to widespread protests that took place in the aftermath of the 29 October 2025 presidential and legislative elections, civil society urges the international community to take action to prevent further abuses. In a letter released today, 30...