Uzima Tele
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- Jan 20, 2023
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#BREAKING: UN CALLS FOR LIFTING OF PROTEST BAN IN TANZANIA AHEAD OF DECEMBER 9
The Tanzanian government has been urged to uphold fundamental freedoms ahead of planned Independence Day protests on 9 December.
Spokesperson Seif Magango of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reminded authorities of their obligation to protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
He called on security forces to plan and implement operations in ways that allow citizens to fully exercise these rights.
The appeal comes amid reports that hundreds of people were killed and more than 2,000 detained following post‑election protests on 29 October, after which authorities escalated a crackdown on opponents culminating in a blanket nationwide ban on demonstrations announced on 3 December.
Under international law, Magango noted, firearms must never be used to disperse protests and can only be deployed as a last resort to counter imminent threats of death or serious injury.
The UN reiterated that commanders of security forces carry a responsibility to ensure respect for these principles ahead of any demonstrations, underscoring that Tanzania’s Independence Day should be marked by freedom, not repression.