On the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania

B100265/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania

(2025/2690(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 having regard to its previous resolutions on Tanzania;

–having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas Tundu Lissu, Chair of the opposition party Chadema and a prominent Tanzanian opposition leader, has been subject to repeated threats, harassment, and persecution by the Tanzanian authorities due to his political activities and outspoken criticism of the government;

B. Whereas Tundu Lissu narrowly survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and was forced into exile due to continued threats to his life, only to face renewed persecution upon his return to Tanzania;

C. Whereas reports indicate that Tundu Lissu was recently arrested under dubious charges and now faces a credible risk of torture, inhumane treatment, or extrajudicial execution while in custody;

D. Whereas the Tanzanian police prevented opposition from holding meetings and other political gatherings, subjecting participants and organisers to mass arrest, arbitrary detention and unlawful force and to journalists was denied their right to freedom of expression;

E. Whereas journalists and media in Tanzania have also been persecuted and their fundamental freedoms are constantly violated by the authorities;

F. Whereas international human rights organizations have condemned the targeting of opposition figures in Tanzania especially during 2024 a year marked by the forced arrest and disappearance of four government critics, one of whom has been confirmed dead/killed;

1.Strongly condemns the arrest and continued persecution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of the main opposition party Chadema, and expresses deep concern over serious risk to his life and well-being while in custody;

2.Strongly condemns the fact that Tanzania still retains death penalty in law even if has not been actively used for the last 10 years;

3.Calls on the Tanzanian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Tundu Lissu and to ensure his safety, fair treatment, right to due process and full access to medical care and legal representation, in accordance with Tanzania’s international human rights obligations;

4.Urges the Government of Tanzania to uphold the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and political pluralism, and to refrain from any actions that may intimidate, silence, or endanger opposition figures and civil society actors;

5.Reiterates the need for the EU to ensure that its development cooperation with Tanzania is consistent with the promotion of human rights and democratic governance, keeping also in mind Russia’s and China’s growing influence and role in the region;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Tanzanian Government, the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the African Union, and the East African Community.