ARUSHA, Tanzania — The United Nations has called for an investigation into alleged killings during protests that erupted after last month’s disputed elections in Tanzania.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk accused authorities of attempting to conceal evidence of deaths, citing reports that security forces removed bodies from mortuaries and transferred them to undisclosed locations. Türk urged officials to release the bodies to families for burial, describing accounts of relatives searching police stations and hospitals for missing loved ones as “harrowing.”
Death Toll Disputed
The opposition party Chadema claims that about 2,000 people were killed during three days of unrest following the 29 October poll. The UN estimates “hundreds” of deaths but says it cannot verify figures due to the volatile security situation and a six-day internet shutdown imposed after the vote. The Tanzanian government has not released an official death toll.
Church Condemnation
The Catholic Church in Tanzania has condemned the killings, warning that peace cannot be achieved without justice.
Treason Charges
Authorities have charged hundreds of people with treason over their alleged involvement in the demonstrations. Among those wanted is Josephat Gwajima, an influential preacher whose church was deregistered earlier this year after he criticized the government’s human rights record.
Police have also issued arrest warrants for several senior opposition figures. Chadema leader Tundu Lissu has already been jailed for several months and faces treason charges after calling for electoral reforms ahead of the disputed vote.