HRF Condemns the Escalating Repression of Fundamental Freedoms and Calls on the Tanzanian Government to Uphold Its Human Rights Obligations

26 July 2026

The Human Rights Forum (HRF) expresses its full solidarity with the declaration issued by the World Liberty Congress regarding the continued detention of Tanzanian pro-democracy leader Tundu Lissu, who has now spent more than 470 days in detention under circumstances that have raised serious concerns among the international human rights community. HRF strongly condemns the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Lissu and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. The prolonged detention of a prominent opposition figure solely for exercising his fundamental rights is incompatible with Tanzania’s obligations under international and regional human rights law.
The Human Rights Forum is deeply alarmed by persistent reports indicating that Mr. Lissu faces serious threats to his physical integrity and personal safety while in detention. Given his history of surviving a previous assassination attempt, these allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness. We call upon the Government of Tanzania to provide immediate and effective guarantees for the protection of his physical, psychological, and moral integrity, ensure access to adequate medical care, legal counsel, and family visits, and prevent any act that could endanger his life or dignity.
Beyond the case of Tundu Lissu, HRF denounces the worsening human rights situation in Tanzania, marked by increasing restrictions on civic space, intimidation of opposition voices, harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, arbitrary arrests, and growing limitations on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political participation. Such practices undermine democratic governance and erode the rule of law. The Human Rights Forum urges the Tanzanian authorities to:
Immediately and unconditionally  release Tundu Lissu ;
Guarantee his physical,   psychological, and moral safety while he remains in state custody;
Conduct an independent investigation into any alleged threats or attempts against his life.
End the persecution of political opponents, journalists, and civil society actors. Restore and fully respect the freedoms of expression, association, assembly, and political participation in accordance with the Constitution of Tanzania, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. HRF also calls upon the African Union, the East African Community, the United Nations, democratic governments, and the international human rights community to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring efforts to ensure that the rights and safety of Tundu Lissu are fully respected and that Tanzania honors its international commitments.
The protection of human rights, political pluralism, and democratic freedoms remains an indispensable foundation for peace, justice, and sustainable development. Silence in the face of repression only emboldens impunity.

Human Rights Forum reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending democracy, human dignity, and fundamental freedoms across Africa and will continue to stand alongside all those who peacefully advocate for justice and democratic change.