Rights groups demand release of activists arrested in Tanzania

Activist Boniface Mwangi. [File, Standard]

Human rights groups on Wednesday called for the immediate release of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer and journalist Agatha Atuhaire, who were arrested Monday, May 19, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The two were picked up without a warrant by individuals who identified themselves as police officers while at the Serena Hotel. They were reportedly taken to the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam.Their current whereabouts remain unknown.

Earlier reports indicated Mwangi and Atuhaire had been released from police custody following their arrest during a crackdown on foreign activists.

However, rights groups said they could not independently confirm this and expressed concern over the lack of communication from Tanzanian authorities.

Mwangi and Atuhaire were in Tanzania to observe the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

"We condemn the prolonged detention of the two human rights defenders and call on the Tanzania Authorities to uphold their rights in accordance with national, regional and
international human rights laws including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the East African Community Treaty, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. " said Kamau Ngugi, executive director of Defenders Coalition.

The arrests follow a string of similar incidents in recent weeks. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, politician Martha Karua, activist Hussein Khalid and lawyers Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi were all detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport and later deported.

They too had travelled to Tanzania to monitor Lissu's case.

Human rights groups said authorities had informed legal bodies, including the East Africa Law Society and the Tanganyika Law Society, that Mwangi and Atuhaire would be deported by Monday, but that did not happen.

"Boniface and Agatha were carrying out peaceful observation. The continued silence from Tanzanian authorities is unacceptable," read the statement.

The groups called on the Tanzanian government to respect obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the East African Community Treaty and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Lissu, a former presidential candidate, has faced legal and political pressure in Tanzania, with his current trial on treason charges drawing wide regional and international interest.

"Human dignity and freedom are not optional. The two must be released without further delay," the coalition added.