UN Human Rights chief demands probe into killings after Tanzania election unrest
The call comes amid reports that security forces may have taken bodies to undisclosed locations, leaving families struggling to locate their loved ones.
United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has called for urgent investigations into killings and other human rights violations in Tanzania following the October 29 General Election.
The call comes amid reports that security forces may have taken bodies to undisclosed locations, leaving families struggling to locate their loved ones.
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In a statement on Tuesday, Türk highlighted that information obtained by the UN Human Rights Office from multiple sources in Tanzania suggests hundreds of protesters and other civilians were killed, while an unknown number were injured or detained.
According to him, the office has not been able to independently verify the casualty figures due to a volatile security situation and an internet shutdown that followed the vote.
“Reports of families desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another are harrowing," Türk said.
"I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing, and to hand over the bodies of those killed to their loved ones so that they can be given dignified burials."
Türk also highlighted disturbing reports that security forces were seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations, raising concerns that evidence of the killings may be deliberately concealed.
The UN official further urged Tanzanian authorities to investigate these grave allegations fully and transparently and to hold those responsible accountable.
He called once again for the unconditional release of all opposition figures arrested before the elections, including CHADEMA party leader Tundu Lissu, and all others arbitrarily detained since election day.
According to reports, more than 150 people have been arrested since the vote, with the legal basis unclear. Many of those arrested, including children and youths, have allegedly been charged with treason.
Türk stressed that all those arrested or detained on criminal charges must be promptly presented before a judicial officer and allowed to contest the lawfulness of their detention.
“All those detained must be afforded the full range of due process rights guaranteed under international human rights law,” he said.
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