Amnesty International terms Lissu shooting “a cowardly attack’’
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Ms Jackson was responding to news that outspoken opposition politician was shot and wounded by unidentified attackers in Dodoma, as the lawmaker was arriving at his residence after attending Parliament morning session on Thursday, September 7.
Dar es Salaam. Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, Ms Sarah Jackson, has described the shooting of Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) president,TunduLissu, as “a cowardly attack.”
Ms Jackson was responding to news that outspoken opposition politician was shot and wounded by unidentified attackers in Dodoma, as the lawmaker was arriving at his residence after attending Parliament morning session on Thursday, September 7.
Initial investigations show that the assailants sprayed MrLissu’s vehicles with between 28 and 32 bullets, five of which hit the politician injuring him on his stomach, arm and leg, according to Speaker of the National Assembly, Job Ndugai.
“This cowardly attack on one of Tanzania’s most fearless and prominent politicians raises concerns about the safety of all dissident voices in the country, at a time when space for dissent is quickly shrinking,’’ she said in a statement posted on the organization website - www.amnesty.org.
She said the authorities must take steps to reassure Tanzanians and the world that this shooting was not politically motivated.
“This heinous crime must not be swept under the carpet. The Tanzanian authorities must immediately launch an effective and impartial investigation into the shooting and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” she added.
