ICC urged to probe Tanzania over post-election civilian killings
Lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez, representing victims, claims that as commander-in-chief, “President Samia Suluhu Hassan bears ultimate responsibility for the crimes, having explicitly authorised violence against civilians”.
International pressure is mounting on Tanzania following claims of widespread violence against civilians during and after last month’s general elections.
Human rights organisations have approached the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking a full investigation into alleged state-led atrocities, accusing security forces of targeting citizens with lethal force.
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The appeal to the ICC comes in the wake of the October polls, which saw President Samia Suluhu secure her first elected term amid disputed results.
The petition is backed by the Madrid Bar Association, Human Rights Institute, World Jurists’ Association, and Intelwatch, all calling for accountability for what they describe as systematic violations against Tanzanian civilians.
Lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez, representing victims, claims that as commander-in-chief, “President Samia Suluhu Hassan bears ultimate responsibility for the crimes, having explicitly authorised violence against civilians”.
The petitioners want the ICC to investigate not only the recent election period but also incidents dating back to 2016, highlighting a persistent pattern of abuse, including torture, sexual violence, disappearances, and forced displacement.
The October elections triggered widespread protests across Tanzanian towns, with civilians taking to the streets to challenge the results.
Security forces responded with what many observers have described as disproportionate force, allegedly resulting in the targeted killings of hundreds of people. In addition to loss of life, reports indicate property destruction, mass arrests, and intimidation of activists and journalists.
The international spotlight on Tanzania is intensifying as the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has called for an independent probe into the killings, urging immediate action.
Meanwhile, the government has cancelled the upcoming Independence Day celebrations amid plans for public demonstrations.
Authorities have also begun releasing some of the more than 300 individuals arrested and charged with treason during the election period, signalling a partial easing of the crackdown.
The petition to the ICC shows growing concerns about human rights and governance in Tanzania.
The organisations involved argue that failure to investigate these alleged crimes could embolden further abuses and undermine public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
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