EDM 1357: Rule of Law and democratic freedoms in Tanzania

That this House notes with deep concern the arrest, detention and charging of the leader of the main Tanzanian opposition party with highly questionable treason charges, which indicates a serious deterioration in the rule of law and the undermining of international standards for a fair trial in Tanzania; further notes with alarm the forcible deportation of former senior judicial and legal figures from a neighbouring country who travelled to Tanzania as independent observers; also notes with particular concern the denial of consular access to detained individuals, prompting formal protests from the governments of neighbouring states; condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrest, reported mistreatment and forced removal of human rights defenders from neighbouring countries, as well as the false arrest and continued unlawful detention of regional legal professionals, actions which constitute grave violations of individual liberties and due process under the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations; observes that these actions signal a dangerous trend towards the political weaponisation of the judiciary and suppression of legitimate opposition, undermining prospects for free and fair elections; regrets that these developments erode the democratic legacy of Tanzania’s founders and violate the principles of African unity and human rights enshrined in the charters of the African Union and East African Community; and calls on the UK Government to use all diplomatic efforts to push for a full restoration of democratic principles in Tanzania.