Stop arbitrary arrests of citizens, activists tell government
What you need to know:
- Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition wants action against ‘illegal’ detention taking place in various police stations and release of five people held at the Loliondo Police Station
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has urged Home Affairs minister Kangi Lugola and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro to take action against police stations that detain suspects contrary to the law.
The coalition has also pleaded with the Loliondo Police Station to release three Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and two citizens detained for six days without being arraigned.
THRDC national coordinator Onesmo Olengurumwa made the call during a press conference held at the coalition’s offices in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Speaking during the event, Mr Olengurumwa said three HRDs; Clinton Kairungi, Supuk Maoi and Manyara Kaita as well as two other citizens werre currently being detained at the Loliondo Police Station for alleged offences linked to land disputes.
He said the suspects have been denied bail by the law enforcers who continue to hold them in contravention of Section 64(1)(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
“Since similar acts have been reported in various police stations across the country, THRDC would like minister Lugola and IGP Sirro to act on them,” he said.
He added: “The Officer Commanding District (OCD) for Loliondo District should also release the suspects without conditions or take them to court for justice to take its course.” He said THRDC opened a case at the High Court in Arusha Zone last Friday, praying for immediate release of the detainees after HRDs and lawyers were restricted from meeting their clients and denied processing their bail.
He called on Tanzanians to fight for their rights in court in 2019, saying THRDC had empowered a number of lawyers to provide legal assistance.
“We also call upon security organs operating in Loliondo to promote the rights of citizens instead of harassing them,” he noted.
He said lawyers were expected to press for amendment of a section of law that concerns 24-hour detention because it was currently being abused by law enforcers.
“We want suspects to be taken to remand prisons where there are professionals instead of detaining them in police cells,” he said.
According to THRDC, the fate of Ngorongoro land dispute has remained in limbo in spite of the intervention by the Prime Minister’s office.
