"Resurgence of 'unknown assailants' a setback for protection of human rights in Tanzania" - Report

By Osoro Nyawangah, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

The Tanzania Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), in collaboration with the Zanzibar Fighting Against Youth Challenges Organization (ZAFAYCO), has on Monday May 5, launched the Tanzania Human Rights Report 2024 citing resurgence of ‘unknown assailants’ as a major setback for the protection of human rights in the country.

The 2024 report published under the theme “The Resurgence of Unknown Assailants”, reflected growing concern over increased incidents of abductions, enforced disappearances, and physical attacks by unidentified individuals. 

The theme inspired by widespread reports of abductions and disappearances of people believed to be orchestrated and carried out by unknown assailants.

The incidents present a serious threat to fundamental human rights such as the right to life and right to liberty and personal security.

The report is the outcome of LHRC’s assessment of human rights situation in Tanzania in line with domestic, regional, and international human rights standards, including human rights conventions ratified by Tanzania and the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977.

It touches on some key issues around the three generations of human rights, namely: the civil and political rights; economic, social, and cultural rights; and collective rights.

Key issues relating to civil and political rights highlighted in the report included mob violence; witchcraft-motivated killings; intimate partner homicide; abductions and disappearances; attacks and killing of persons with albinism (PWAs); arbitrary restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly; limited access to justice; violations of rights of accused persons; and gaps in laws and policies.

According to the report, children constituted the majority of victims of human rights violations (41%), as was the case in 2023 whereby 47% of the victims of human rights violations were children. Women took the second place with 29%, followed by men (15%), the elderly (11%), and PWDs (4%). 

Compared to 2023, the report notes a slight overall decline in the enjoyment and protection of human rights in Tanzania.

This regression is largely attributed to the rise in violations of civil and political rights, as well as a continued lack of accountability in law enforcement institutions.

LHRC urges the government, stakeholders, civil society, and citizens to reflect on the report’s findings and take decisive action toward strengthening human rights protections, advancing democratic governance, and ensuring accountability.