The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday made a public plea for a thorough investigation. The inquiry concerns the numerous alleged killings that occurred during protests in Tanzania.
These demonstrations followed the nation’s controversial elections held last month.
This request for an official probe comes as local authorities pursue treason charges against hundreds of individuals involved in the post-election demonstrations.
Human Rights Chief Raises Alarm
Volker Türk, the UN’s top human rights official, expressed profound dismay about the ongoing situation. He spoke of “an apparent attempt to conceal evidence” regarding the deaths of citizens protesting the poll results.
This serious accusation stems from unverified reports. These reports suggest state security forces removed bodies of those killed during the turmoil from public mortuaries. They allegedly transported the bodies to secret locations.
Türk implored the national government to immediately release all bodies to the respective families for burial rites. He described the efforts of searching relatives as agonizing. Relatives are “desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another,” he noted.
Widely Varying Casualty Numbers
The primary opposition political party claimed approximately 2,000 people were killed during three days of unrest. This followed the disputed October 29 vote.
The government has yet to release any definitive official death toll. The UN believes “hundreds” of people lost their lives. However, the international body stated it could not independently verify the high figures.
This difficulty arose from both the ongoing, volatile security situation and a six-day internet shutdown imposed after the elections.
The Catholic Church within Tanzania has openly denounced the recent protest killings. Church leadership asserted that achieving lasting stability requires justice first.
Legal Actions Against Dissenters
Tanzanian officials have filed treason charges against numerous individuals connected to the post-election protests. Police are actively searching for several suspects, including influential preacher Josephat Gwajima.
Gwajima’s church had faced issues earlier this year. It was deregistered after he publicly criticized the government regarding alleged human rights abuses.
Arrest warrants have also been issued for several of the nation’s highest-ranking opposition leaders who currently remain free.
Tundu Lissu, the main opposition party leader, is already incarcerated. He also faces treason charges. Lissu’s legal ordeal began after he publicly advocated for reforms to the electoral process before last month’s vote.
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