Rights groups demand probe into alleged torture of activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania

Human rights defenders have called for an independent investigation into the alleged torture of activist Boniface Mwangi, who was detained in Tanzania earlier this week and later found with visible injuries.

Addressing journalists at Moi International Airport in Mombasa on Thursday, Mwangi said he was tortured so severely that he could barely walk.

Mwangi, who was arrested on Monday and detained under unclear circumstances, described the four days he spent in Tanzanian custody as “very dark” and marked by severe torture.

“I’ve gone through four dark days. I have been tortured very badly. I can barely walk, but I am very concerned about Agather (Ugandan activist) because we were tortured together, and they did very horrible things to us. So, I hope Agather is safe,” Mwangi said.

The rights defenders, including the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG-K), Amnesty International Kenya, Defenders Coalition, Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission, FIDA-Kenya, Transparency International Kenya, and HAKI Africa, now want Tanzanian authorities to be held accountable.

Full, impartial probe

The lobbies have demanded a full, impartial probe into the incident, alongside the immediate release of Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, who remains missing after being arrested with Mwangi.

The two were arrested while in Tanzania to observe the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

In a statement, PRWG-K condemned Mwangi’s detention and torture and called for urgent accountability. The group said it was relieved that Mwangi had resurfaced, but remained gravely concerned about Atuhaire, who was last seen on Monday in Tanzanian custody.

“The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has this morning learnt that Mr Boniface Mwangi, a renowned human rights defender, was dumped on the Kenya-Tanzania border. Whereas we are relieved that Mr Mwangi has been found alive, he has visible signs of torture. We therefore strongly condemn his unlawful arrest, detention, and torture by Tanzanian law enforcement,” the group said on Thursday.

The rights groups condemned what they termed rising repression in Tanzania and Uganda, warning that such patterns undermine democratic values within the East African Community (EAC).

“Tanzanian’s actions and statements by the head of state this week violate Article 13 (6) of the Tanzanian Constitution, which provides for fair hearing, equality before the law, human dignity, and freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment,” they said.

“Tanzania’s actions further violate the EAC Treaty, particularly Articles 6 and 7 (2), which obligate states to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.”

Contravenes international conventions

The group said Mwangi’s treatment contravenes international conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention Against Torture, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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“The government of Tanzania cannot hide behind national sovereignty to justify committing serious crimes and human rights violations against its own citizens and other East Africans,” they warned.

PRWG-K demanded five urgent actions, including the immediate and unconditional release of Atuhaire and all other Tanzanian activists held in violation of international human rights standards.

Fact-finding missions

They also called for a full and impartial investigation into the torture of Boniface Mwangi, with those responsible held accountable. PRWG-K further urged the East African Community and Tanzania’s international partners to initiate fact-finding missions into ongoing and escalating human rights violations, particularly as the country approaches its November elections.

In addition, the group called for diplomatic intervention by regional and international bodies, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, the Committee Against Torture, and the governments of Kenya and Uganda, to publicly demand the protection of their citizens’ rights in Tanzania.

They also appealed to all EAC member states to safeguard freedom of expression and end the criminalisation of dissent.

“The PRWG-K stands in solidarity with Boniface Mwangi, Agather Atuhaire, Tundu Lissu, and all victims of state-sponsored repression in East Africa. We call upon the African Union, UN Human Rights Council, and international partners to pressure Tanzania and allied regimes to cease these violations. Silence is complicity, and the EAC must not become a syndicate of autocracy and an international crime scene,” they said.