The motion tabled before EU parliament on cases of breaches of human rights in Tanzania

BRUSSELS, Belgium

On behalf of the Europe of Sovereign Nations group (ESN), <RepeatBlock-By><Depute>Tomasz Froelich,</Depute> tabled a motion to the European Parliament on Wednesday May 7, for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Tanzania.

Tomasz Froelich

The motion for resolution referenced (2025/2690(RSP) was tabled <TitreRecueil>pursuant to Rule 150 of the Rules of Procedure <Titre>on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania.</Titre>

In the resolution sheet, the ESN on having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure, having regard to Article 21 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and having regard to Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights argued the following:

A.      whereas on 9 April 2025, Tundu Lissu, leader of Tanzania’s main opposition Party for Democracy and Progress (Chadema) was arrested; whereas on 10 April 2025, police charged him with the offence of treason;

B.      whereas on 12 April 2025, the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) barred Chadema from contesting the October 2025 elections;

C.      whereas according to different reports, four government critics forcibly disappeared, and one was unlawfully killed in 2024;

D.      whereas in a 2022 survey, published by Afrobarometer in October 2023, a majority of Tanzanians report feeling free to say what they think and to join political organisations of their choice; whereas 76 % of Tanzanians expressed support for the government’s right to limit news or opinions that criticise or insult the president and 71 % approved restrictions of sharing of information that the government disapproves of;

E.      whereas Tanzania 2025 population is estimated at 70,545,865 people at mid-year and is expected to grow to roughly 130 million people by 2050; whereas in 2025, 25.2 million Tanzanians live on a maximum of 1.90 US dollar per day;

F.      whereas the EU supports Tanzania’s development through the Global Europe Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 with EUR 726 million; whereas EU Member States bilateral support to Tanzania was approximately EUR 1.2 billion for 2021-2024;

With the above, the ESN is therefore:

1.       Is concerned about the arrest of Tundu Lissu alongside the disqualification of the Chadema party from the 2025 elections;

2.       Calls on the Tanzanian authorities to ensure that those responsible for politically motivated disappearances and murders are brought to justice;

3.       Fully respects the collective preferences of the Tanzanian people and the internal electoral process of Tanzania, which must reflect the will of its people;

4.       Encourages all political parties to contest the upcoming elections; encourages the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party to hold talks with all of the opposition parties over their demands; is of the opinion that the release of Tundu Lissu would give a boost to these talks;

Tundu Lissu (In Khaki shirt) leading demonstration demanding for constitution reform

5.       Calls on the African Union to engage with the Tanzanian government to find a solution;

6.       Notes that EU development aid has only had a very limited effect as exemplified by Tanzania’s deepening health crisis, fuelled by the persisting brain drain of health care professionals;

7.       Is worried that the persisting high poverty levels, combined with the very high population growth, will lead to mass emigration;

8.       Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the President, government and parliament of Tanzania.

The EU parliament is expected to vote on the proposed resolution on Thursday May 8.

After just three months at the helm of CHADEMA, Lissu is a presidential contender, was last month arrested and detained for a speech allegedly calling for the public to launch a rebellion and disrupt the elections.

Prior to his arrest, he had been holding gatherings across the country with a rallying call of "no reforms, no elections".

He said the current system was rigged in favour of the ruling CCM party, adding that without reforms, there was no point in taking part in the elections.