Amnesty, Rights Groups Unite To Condemn Mass Arrests

Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has joined local groups in condemning the arrest of Chadema party leaders and supporters.

The International has called on Tanzanian authorities to immediately stop the widespread arrests and arbitrary detention of government critics, citing increased intimidation of political opposition members ahead of the local government elections in December and the general election in 2025.

Tanzanian police took into custody prominent figures from the Party for Democracy and Progress, also known as Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), on August 11. Among those arrested were former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, over a hundred youth supporters, and five journalists for violating a ban on organizing a youth conference. The arrests occurred during a meeting at Chadema’s Nyasa zonal office in Mbeya, southwest Tanzania, just before International Youth Day on August 12.

The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) reported that police also detained 107 Chadema party members on the same day in the Nyasa zone of the Iringa region in the southern highlands.

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Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Sarah Jackson, expressed deep concern over the mass arrests and arbitrary detention of Chadema figures, their supporters, and journalists. She emphasized the importance of upholding people’s rights to freedom of expression and association, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.

Eyewitnesses informed Amnesty International that those arrested included Chadema’s vice-chair Tundu Lissu, secretary general John Mnyika, Nyasa regional leader Joseph Mbilinyi, and leaders of the party’s youth wing, Baraza la Vijana Cha Chadema (Bavicha). The detained individuals were reportedly taken to undisclosed locations by the police, while others were transported to various police stations in Mbeya.

On August 12, police arrested Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe and Bavicha national leader John Pambalu at Songwe airport upon their arrival from Dar es Salaam. This was in connection to following up on other arrested party members and leaders.

Chadema lawyers informed Amnesty International that they were denied information by the Mbeya Regional Police Commander regarding the whereabouts of the detainees and details about the charges against them. However, they were able to confirm independently that Joseph Mbilinyi was being held at the Iringa Central Police Station.

The authorities have been observed to restrict activities of the political opposition while allowing members of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party to convene without hindrance.

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Sarah Jackson reiterated Amnesty International’s call for the immediate release of all detainees or for them to be charged with recognizable criminal offenses according to international standards. She emphasized the importance of respecting detainees’ rights to a fair trial, including informing them of the reasons for their arrest, promptly presenting them before a judge, and providing access to legal counsel.

In preparation for the upcoming elections, Amnesty International urged Tanzanian authorities to uphold and protect the human rights of all individuals, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. They called for an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions of political opposition members and a reversal of the escalating crackdown on civic space.