Torture and rape in Tanzania: Human rights activists report shocking

Torture and rape in Tanzania: Human rights activists report shocking

Agather Atuhaire and Boniface Mwangi, two committed human rights activists, have published frightening reports of torture and sexual abuse during their detention in Tanzania. Atuhaire, which was awarded the European Union's human rights award in 2023, describes her experiences, which are characterized by kidnapping and brutal abuse. Mwangi, a well -known activist from Kenya, also reports on his ordeal, which he suffered in the supposedly safe destination Tanzania.

Both activists were arrested in Daressalam on May 18, 2025, while as an observer they wanted to travel to the opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu, who returned to Tanzania in 2023, sees serious allegations of the high treason and threatens the death penalty.

The experiences of the activists

After several days of ill -treatment, they were finally stopped at a border crossing on May 21. In their suspension, they were equipped with money for the return trip, which illustrates the shocking impunity with which such human rights violations are treated in Tanzania. Atuhaire identified Faustine Mafwele as the person responsible who is said to have arranged their abuse.

international reactions and human rights situation in Tanzania

The incidents suffered from Atuhaire and Mwangi are part of a wider human rights crisis in Tanzania. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who entered the office in 2021, a few steps were initially taken to loosen political oppression. But in the past few months the repression and the disappearance of government -critical voices have increased. Amnesty International describes the incidents as part of a "campaign of fear and oppression" before the 2025 elections.

The USA also responded to the increasing human rights violations in Tanzania and call on the government to respect international law. Atuhaire and Mwangi plan to sue the Tanzanian state in front of the African Union's Human Rights Court to seek justice for the atrocities added to them.

These incidents are not only a sign of the continuing challenges in enforcing human rights in Tanzania, but also reflect on major problems that affect many African countries. Despite some positive developments in countries such as Ghana and Senegal, the story shows that political independence does not necessarily mean improving human rights. Torture and arbitrary detainees are still widespread practices that trigger international alarm.

for more information about the incidents in Tanzania, see the reporting of KN Online , the personal reports by Atuhaire and Mwangi at Citizen, as well as a comprehensive overview of the Human rights situation in Africa von der Federal Center for Political Education .