MWE Correspondent
The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has called for the immediate release of all individuals arrested or detained in connection with the 2025 General Election, arguing that many of the cases show signs of irregularities and lack of due process.
The appeal was made as concerns continue to rise over the number of detainees and the transparency of their arrests.
According to the coalition’s National Coordinator, Onesmo Olengurumwa, preliminary assessments indicate that more than 700 suspects from at least nine regions have already been taken to court to face various charges. He noted that many of those detained were apprehended under circumstances that raise serious questions about the protection of human rights and the fairness of law-enforcement operations.
Olengurumwa explained that THRDC, working jointly with the Tanganyika Law Society and the Legal and Human Rights Centre, conducted a special fact-finding visit to detention facilities in Dar es Salaam. During the visit, representatives engaged with 140 suspects currently held in different prisons. Their findings, he said, revealed worrisome conditions, including arrests that lacked clear explanations and cases where individuals were detained while carrying out ordinary economic activities.
One of the most disturbing discoveries, according to THRDC, was the presence of children under the age of 18 among those arrested. The coalition stated that such incidents raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of the broader arrest operations and the integrity of the investigations that followed. They added that the absence of official, consolidated statistics on the total number of detainees has only deepened public uncertainty and weakened confidence in the criminal justice system.
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Referring to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s address delivered on November 14, 2025—where she urged authorities to consider the release of certain election-related suspects—THRDC emphasized that the directive should be applied fairly and consistently to everyone. The coalition highlighted the social costs of prolonged detention, particularly for young people who support their families and communities.
Olengurumwa noted that a large proportion of those detained are youths who form both the present and future workforce of the nation. Prolonged legal uncertainty, he argued, not only disrupts families but risks fueling mistrust at a time when the country needs unity, healing and social stability.
THRDC stressed that releasing the detainees would contribute significantly to national reconciliation efforts and help restore faith in governance. The coalition urged state institutions to act with transparency, ensure that arrests comply with the law, and safeguard the rights of all citizens. They further called for open communication with the public to dispel misinformation and rebuild confidence in the institutions responsible for justice.
With the country still navigating post-election tensions, THRDC reiterated that adherence to the rule of law remains crucial for maintaining peace. The coalition urged authorities to reflect seriously on the concerns raised and to honor the spirit of accountability envisioned within the frameworks of Tanzania’s democratic governance.
