Tanzanians took to the streets on October 29 against the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a protest that quickly escalation in violence and death.
There have been harrowing reports of “families desperately search everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another,” THE UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Tuesday.
Other reports suggest that security forces transported the bodies of some of those killed to undisclosed locations, it said. OHCHR.
“Worrying reports”
Mr Türk called for investigations into the killings and other human rights violations.
“I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all those missingand to hand over the bodies of those killed to their loved ones so that they can benefit from dignified burials,” said Mr. Türk.
“There are also worrying reports that security forces have been seen removing bodies from the streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations. in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.”
Due to the unstable security situation and the internet shutdown after the elections, the UN was unable to verify the exact number of casualties.
Some released, others remain in prison
The main opposition party, Chadema, said on social media that several senior opposition leaders arrested during the protests had been released. Four were reportedly released on bail on Monday.
President Hassan was declared the winner after the election with 98 percent of the vote.
According to information received by OHCHR, more than 150 people have been arrested since election day. Many of those arrested – including children – were reportedly accused of treason.
Mr. Türk called for the unconditional release of all opposition figures arrested before the general elections and all others arbitrarily detained since.
“All detained persons must be afforded the full range of due process rights guaranteed by international human rights law.“, said Mr. Türk.
