UN Secretary-General Calls for Investigation into Post-Election Violence in Tanzania

The United Nations has called for a thorough investigation into the post-election unrest in Tanzania, where at least ten demonstrators were killed by security forces. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and urged the Tanzanian authorities to uphold accountability and transparency in handling the situation. The UN human rights office reported that a nationwide curfew is in effect, and internet access has been widely restricted since polling day. The office also urged authorities to reinstate internet service and facilitate citizens' full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

Key Takeaways:

• At least ten demonstrators were killed by security forces during post-election unrest in Tanzania.
• The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of excessive use of force.
• The UN human rights office reported that a nationwide curfew is in effect and internet access has been widely restricted since polling day.
• The office urged authorities to reinstate internet service and facilitate citizens' full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
• The protesters were also urged to demonstrate peacefully, with the UN human rights office stating that "curtailment of communication will only further undermine public trust in the electoral process."
• The Tanzanian authorities were also called upon to release detainees who are being held in arbitrary detention, and to ensure that those held legally are accorded full due process and fair trial rights.
• The UN human rights office urged the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to bring those responsible to justice.
• The country's former ambassador to Cuba and the leader of the Chadema party, along with his deputy, were among those allegedly detained and arrested arbitrarily.
• The UN human rights office is monitoring the situation and is urging the Tanzanian people to remain calm and to exercise their rights peacefully.

Statistics:

• At least ten demonstrators were killed by security forces during post-election unrest in Tanzania.
• A nationwide curfew is in effect in Tanzania, and internet access has been widely restricted since polling day.
• The UN human rights office reported that all those being held in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released.

Sources:

• Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations (no date)
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations, briefed reporters in Geneva on Friday (no date)