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On 18 June 2025, during the 5th meeting of the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, Dr. Abdallah S. Possi, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations Offices and Other International Organizations in Geneva, addressed the Council.
He dismissed the allegations raised by the representative of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, stating that the statement contained erroneous, misleading, and misconstrued information. Dr. Possi asserted that Tanzania fully upholds its obligations emanating from the Constitution as well as regional and international human rights instruments.
He mentioned that citizens have the freedom to express themselves and share their opinions, even against the government.
He pointed out that, as the speaker seemed to have acknowledged, Tanzania is a mature democracy, having held seven free, fair, and peaceful multiparty elections.
He emphasized that Tanzania has never failed to hold elections as required by the Constitution and that if trends and patterns are anything to go by, the same should be expected this time around.
Dr. Possi explained that Tanzania's ability to maintain peace in a very diverse society, with many ethnicities, different beliefs, and political ideologies, is attributed to its adherence to the rule of law.
He stated that this commitment to legal principles helps ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and equitably.
He noted that this applied to the individuals mentioned by the representative of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, who unfortunately failed to declare their genuine purpose of entering the country—a common requirement of immigration laws of many countries.
He acknowledged that although their claims are yet to be independently verified, Tanzania takes the allegations of torture, sexual abuse, and malpractices very seriously.
He explained that this is why the country is currently investigating, and if established, those concerned will be held accountable. Dr. Possi expressed regret that the entity had raised alarm on concerns that do not persist.
He suggested that the Council needs to be watchful of such unfounded and baseless claims levelled against a Member State.
He highlighted that an important point to note about the case mentioned by the Representative of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network is that, for transparency, the proceedings are broadcast live on online TV, allowing anyone worldwide to follow.
Dr. Possi reiterated that Tanzania is determined to uphold human rights and the rule of law in the period leading up to the general elections in October 2025 and beyond.
He affirmed that Tanzania is committed to maintaining a conducive environment for all political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
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