Civil society groups decry escalating human rights violations across East Africa

(Center) Activist Njeri Mwangi with members of the Kongamano La Mapinduzi when they called on the Tanzanian Government to release activists Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire who were arrested in Dar es Salaam while planning to observe a hearing in the treason case against detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu on May 20, 2024. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Civil society organizations have raised alarm over what they describe as a deepening crisis of human rights repression in East Africa. Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, the rights groups condemned recent incidents of political arrests, deportations, and shrinking democratic space in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Their remarks follow the arrest of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu on treason charges and the subsequent detention and deportation of Kenyans who had traveled to observe the court proceedings in solidarity. They included former Justice Minister Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and activists Hanifa Adan, Hussein Khalid and Boniface Mwangi. Also, a Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire was detained. Mwangi and Agather were released on Tuesday. "These acts of repression are a direct assault on democratic principles, regional solidarity, and the fundamental rights of African citizens to freedom of movement, expression, and political participation. It is deeply troubling that Tanzanian authorities have chosen to criminalize peaceful efforts to observe and support a fair judicial process," said Mwanase Ahmed of Kongamano la Mapinduzi. Ahmed noted that the arrest of Lissu represents a broader dangerous pattern of political intimidation ahead of Tanzania's upcoming elections. She warned that such tactics undermine both domestic democracy and the spirit of regional cooperation enshrined in the East African Community (EAC) treaty. Activist Njeri Mwangi stated what she termed as recent related patterns of violence across the African continent, citing the continued brutality of the Museveni regime in Uganda. "All this goes on as huge swathes of Africa, including Sudan and the DRC, are engulfed in manufactured wars that consign our people to violence, rape, death, amongst other untold atrocities. We remind our comrades across the continent that nothing is permanent. The people are the motive force of history. Resistance must be organized," said Mwangi. Paul Mark, also of Kongamano la Mapinduzi, said that the movement stood in full solidarity with Tundu Lissu and the people of Tanzania in their struggle for accountable governance structures and electoral justice. He also extended support to Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and all those who are unfairly jailed for speaking truth to power. "Democracy thrives when systems of power are held accountable, divergent opinions are listened to, and fundamental human rights are protected. We urge all African people, and comrades around the world, to speak out against these injustices," said Faith Lumwachi of Mukuru Community Justice Center John Nzau, the deputy secretary general of the Ukweli Party, labeled the arrest and deportation of human rights defenders in Tanzania a direct assault on the principles of regional unity and mutual respect. "The spirit of East Africa, fought through our shared histories, cultures, and aspirations, cannot survive when citizens of member states are treated as adversaries for exercising the right to free movement and expression," said Nzau. He called on the Tanzanian government to immediately and unconditionally release Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire. Ndungi Githuku, an activist, pointed to the stark contrast between Tanzania's historical legacy as a safe haven for exiled freedom fighters in the 1980s and its current actions. "In the 80s we had our Mwakenya underground movement members being given a safe haven in Tanzania. But today we are seeing a trend under the presidency of Suluhu Hassan, in conjunction with William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni, of forging a Jumuia of their own," said Githuku. He warned that the governments of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda were jointly conspiring to violate the rights of East African citizens. "We are East Africans, we are Africans, we have the right to visit Tanzania anytime. A Kenyan is not a foreigner in Tanzania. A Tanzanian is not a foreigner in Kenya or Uganda," he said. Ahmed gave an account of what she termed Tanzanian authorities attempts to frame Mwangi with immigration violations after he reportedly refused to open his hotel room door to armed officers at 2 a.m. "They were threatening a three-year sentence in charges. Last night, they spent the evening being interrogated," said Ahmed. She added that internal deliberations between Tanzanian authorities were still ongoing, with uncertainty over whether the detainees would be charged or deported. Hussein Khalid, the Executive Director of Vocal Africa, accused the Tanzanian government of violating basic human rights and warned regional leaders against silencing dissent. "Tanzanians have been oppressed, abducted, and even killed, and we cannot remain silent. The East African Community belongs to its citizens, not just the leaders," said Khalid. He added: "Boniface and Agather went to defend the Tanzanian constitution and the pursuit of justice. Detaining them is unjust. We are demanding their immediate release and warning all oppressors in the region: citizens are awake, and we will not be quiet in the face of injustice."

Civil society groups decry escalating human rights violations across East Africa

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