Tanzania: Unlawful Killings and Other Human Rights Violations During Election Protests
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Tanzanian security forces used unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal force, to suppress election protests between 29 october and 3 November 2025, showing a shocking disregard for the right to life and for freedom of peaceful assembly as hundreds of people were reported killed or injured across the country, Amnesty International said today.
New research details how security forces fired live ammunition and teargas directly at protesters and other individuals who posed no imminent threat of death or serious injury. the association found that security forces used firearms recklessly, injuring and killing bystanders, and abusively deployed tear gas in residential areas and into people’s homes.
The violence that security forces inflicted on protesters and other people who were just going about their daily lives was shocking and unacceptable, and yet another sign of growing intolerance in Tanzania.
– Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General
Amid a nationwide internet shutdownsecurity officials subjected individuals to beatings and other forms of ill-treatment, denied the wounded access to healthcare, arrested some still in need of care, and collected bodies of victims of their brutality from mortuaries, taking them to unknown places.
“The violence that security forces inflicted on protesters and other people who were just going about their daily lives was shocking and unacceptable, and yet another sign of growing intolerance in Tanzania,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.
The formation of the commission is the first of many steps that must be followed to deliver accountability. The authorities must now ensure that all investigations are self-reliant,thorough and impartial.
– Agnès Callamard
On 14 November, Tanzania’s president announced a commission of inquiry into the killings of protesters. Though, civil society members have expressed concerns about it’s independence.
“The formation of the commission is the first of many steps that must be followed to deliver accountability. The authorities must now ensure that all investigations are independent, thorough and impartial.No one should be shielded from justice: those who ordered, enabled and used unlawful force must be held accountable regardless of their position. Every grieving family deserves answers, justice and the chance to seek reparations. anything less would be an exercise in whitewashing abuses,” said Agnès Callamard.
Between 3 and 28 November, Amnesty International interviewed 35 people, including survivors of gunshot and teargas canister injuries, eyewitnesses, lawyers assisting arrested protesters and healthcare professionals who treated injured victims, and also relatives of those killed. Amnesty International’s digital investigations team, the Evidence Lab, verified 26 videos and six photos.
Tanzania: Deadly Crackdown on Protests Following Presidential Election
Table of Contents
Amnesty International has documented evidence of Tanzanian security forces using excessive and lethal force against protesters and bystanders following the country’s presidential election on 28 October 2020. The organization’s investigation reveals a disturbing pattern of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, and the misuse of firearms, raising serious concerns about the government’s response to post-election protests.
Eyewitness Accounts of Excessive Force
Eyewitnesses have described scenes of police and plain-clothed security officers firing live ammunition to disperse crowds, frequently enough immediately after using tear gas. One man recounted being shot while standing near his house,believing the shooters to be security officers.
“They aimed and fired; I felt pain on my left lower leg near the ankle. That pain brought me down to the ground,when I touched it,I saw blood oozing out. That’s when I realised, I had been shot. From the ground I could hear more firing,” he said.
Another witness reported the killing of his friend in Arusha after police threw tear gas and then opened fire near a shop where they were sitting. He himself sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
While acknowledging reports of some protesters engaging in acts of vandalism, such as throwing stones, burning tires, and damaging property, Amnesty International emphasizes that its documentation focuses on cases where lethal force was used against individuals who did not pose an imminent threat to life.
Digital Evidence of Misuse of lethal Force
Amnesty’s evidence Lab has verified several videos demonstrating the apparent misuse of lethal force by security forces. One particularly disturbing video shows a woman running down a street in Arusha when she is shot in the chest. The footage depicts her falling, attempting to get up, and then collapsing again, with visible marks appearing on her back and chest consistent with gunshot wounds.
Further verified videos show the woman lying motionless as more gunshots are heard, her clothing covered in blood. another man is seen being carried away, apparently lifeless, with a head wound.
A forensic pathologist, after reviewing photos from a hospital in Arusha and a video from Dar es Salam, concluded that the injuries observed were consistent with high-velocity gunshot wounds typically produced by military rifles.
These findings underscore the urgent need for independent investigations into the conduct of Tanzanian security forces during and after the 2020 presidential election, and for accountability for those responsible for unlawful killings and other human rights violations.
Families in Tanzania Seek remains of Loved Ones Allegedly Taken by Security Forces after Protests
Following protests in Tanzania in late October 2023, Amnesty International has documented cases of families unable to locate the bodies of their relatives, raising concerns that security forces may be concealing evidence of killings.The organization interviewed families and friends in six Tanzanian cities – Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Tunduma, Moshi, and Mbeya – who report being unable to find their loved ones’ remains despite extensive searches of local morgues.
Allegations of Body Removal
The reports suggest a pattern of bodies being removed from hospitals by police,preventing families from conducting conventional burial rites. A healthcare worker quoted by Amnesty International stated, “They took people who were still breathing and could be saved, to the morgue.” This claim highlights the severity of the allegations and suggests potential violations of due process and the right to life.
Specific Cases Highlighted by Amnesty International
Several specific cases illustrate the difficulties families are facing:
* Stephen China (19): Killed on October 29th in Tunduma, his body was initially taken to Tunduma Referral Hospital. However, when his family went to identify and claim his remains the following day, hospital officials stated that police had removed all the bodies. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afR5367832023/en/
* Daudi Ndone (38): Shot and killed in Dar es Salaam’s Mazense area on October 29th, his family searched mortuaries for over a week without success.Unable to find his body, they resorted to burying his clothes and a photograph in accordance with their traditions. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afR5367832023/en/
These cases are not isolated incidents, according to Amnesty International, and point to a broader issue of potential cover-ups by security forces.
Amnesty International’s response
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, condemned the alleged actions, stating, “Even in death, these victims of police brutality cannot rest in peace. Amnesty International calls on the authorities to hand over the remains of all those killed in the protests and their aftermath to their relatives for a decent burial and the necessary rites.” https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afR5367832023/en/
Context: Protests in Tanzania (October 2023)
The protests referenced in the report stemmed from concerns over the outcome of local government elections and allegations of irregularities. The opposition party, Chadema, claimed widespread fraud and called for demonstrations. The Tanzanian government responded with a crackdown, arresting opposition leaders and deploying security forces to quell the unrest. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-opposition-says-leader-arrested-after-election-dispute-2023-11-02/ Reports of police brutality during the protests have emerged, contributing to the current concerns about the handling of fatalities.
Key takeaways
* Families in Tanzania are struggling to locate the bodies of loved ones killed during and after recent protests.
* Allegations suggest security forces may be removing bodies from hospitals to conceal evidence.
* Amnesty International is calling for the immediate handover of remains to families for proper burial.
* The situation arises from protests related to local election disputes and allegations of fraud.
Looking Ahead
The allegations raised by Amnesty International require a thorough and transparent investigation by the Tanzanian authorities. Ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing and providing closure for grieving families are crucial steps towards upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights in Tanzania. Further independent investigations and reporting will be necessary to fully understand the extent of the alleged abuses and ensure justice for the victims.
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