Following the violent response by Tanzanian authorities to widespread protests after the 29 October 2025 presidential and legislative elections, civil society organizations have called on UN Human Rights Council Member and Observer States to increase engagement with Tanzania to prevent further human rights abuses. The organizations urged the Council to hold a debate following a briefing by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and, if necessary, convene a special session to address the deteriorating situation.
The elections, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party won 97.66% of the vote, were criticized by both the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) for failing to meet democratic standards. In the aftermath, widespread protests erupted, met with excessive and lethal force by police and security personnel, resulting in hundreds of deaths and reports of enforced disappearances. Media restrictions, internet shutdowns, and government-imposed lockdowns made it difficult to verify the full scale of the crackdown.
Authorities used arbitrary arrests, assaults, and charges of treason against protesters, including children, while security forces reportedly fired live ammunition and targeted unarmed individuals, sometimes killing them in their homes. Reports also suggested attempts to conceal evidence, including moving bodies from streets and hospitals to undisclosed locations. Regional and international bodies, including the AU and African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), condemned these actions as grave violations and called for proportional use of force and accountability.
The crackdown occurred within a broader pattern of repression, including prior arrests of opposition leaders, restrictions on civic space, and intimidation of civil society actors. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from participating fully in the elections, and prominent leaders such as Tundu Lissu were detained on politically motivated charges. Reports also documented transnational repression, including the abduction and alleged torture of foreign activists visiting Tanzania.
Civil society organizations documented procedural irregularities in court proceedings, arbitrary arrests during ordinary activities, and detentions of children, highlighting the severe impact on political and civic freedoms. Analysts noted that these violations reflect longstanding issues under both the current and previous administrations, including restrictive laws, harassment of activists, forced evictions of Indigenous communities, and suppression of independent media.
Concerns have also been raised about the national commission of inquiry announced by President Hassan, which lacks civil society representation, international observers, or a clear mandate to address the root causes of the crisis. The commission is viewed as insufficient to ensure impartiality or accountability, particularly after presidential remarks questioning protesters’ motives.
Civil society organizations urge the Human Rights Council to act urgently to prevent further deterioration of the human rights situation in Tanzania, ensure justice and accountability, and hold a debate based on information from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. If violations continue, the Council should consider a special session to demand prompt, independent, and transparent investigations and to guarantee accountability for the post-election crackdown.
