Rights coalition faults Tanzania over detention of Mwangi, Atuhaire incommunicado

Activist Boniface Mwangi. [File, Standard]

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya on Wednesday condemned the arrest and incommunicado detention of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire by Tanzanian authorities.

The two were detained while observing court proceedings involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

"This arrest is a blatant attack on the rights of human rights defenders and journalists," said the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya in a statement on May 21.

The group added that the two have been denied legal representation, contact with their families and access to consular services, saying this violates international human rights laws.

The lobby group urged Tanzanian authorities to release Mwangi and Atuhaire unconditionally and called for an independent investigation into the arrests.

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya is a coalition of national and community-based human rights organisations focused on promoting accountable and rights-respecting policing.

Members include Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Defenders Coalition, Katiba Institute and others.

"Tanzania must stop targeting civic actors and honour its obligations under both domestic and international law," the statement added.

The statement referenced the East African Community Treaty, which Tanzania has ratified, saying the treaty guarantees the free movement of people, freedom of expression and protection of human rights.

The group warned that the continued detention of the two activists undermines the principles of East African unity and solidarity.

"We demand an end to enforced disappearances, harassment and abductions of human rights defenders," said the group.