On the post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu

European Parliament resolution on the post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu

(2025/2990(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Tanzania’s 29 October 2025 elections were sharply criticised by African regional election observation missions, including those of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC); whereas the EU was not invited to deploy an election observation mission;

B. whereas the elections were followed by widespread protests and a violent crackdown by security forces, involving unlawful and excessive use of force, resulting in deaths, injuries and mass arrests;

C. whereas Tanzanian authorities imposed curfews and a nationwide shutdown of the internet and media and communications infrastructure to block access to information;

D. whereas opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina were barred from running in the elections;

E. whereas Lissu was arrested on 9 April 2025 and charged with treason, a capital offence under Tanzanian law; whereas he remains in detention under life-threatening conditions;

F. whereas other opposition leaders and critics were arbitrarily arrested or targeted, in a sustained purge involving abductions and disappearances, including that of Humphrey Polepole, reported by human rights organisations;

G. whereas Tanzania’s deteriorating human rights situation and shrinking civic space contradict the EU’s core values and the principles underpinning its external action;

H. whereas Tanzania’s Christian and Muslim leaders condemned the government’s use of violence;

1. Denounces the violence and excessive use of force by Tanzanian security forces following the October 2025 elections, resulting in thousands of deaths, injuries and reported mass graves; condemns the government’s denial of wrongdoing;

2. Urges the Tanzanian Government to immediately cease crackdowns and arbitrary arrests of opposition members, protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, to release all those arbitrarily detained, and to lift all internet and media restrictions;

3. Condemns the arbitrary and politically motivated detention of opposition leader Lissu; calls for his immediate and unconditional release; expresses deep concern about the horrendous conditions under which he is held; demands that he be granted immediate and full access to his family, lawyers and medical care;

4. Calls for a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into all alleged killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other violations; insists this be undertaken by an external and credible mechanism, including an African-led international commission of inquiry to ensure accountability;

5. Highlights Parliament’s demand to the Commission to halt direct support to the Tanzanian authorities; calls for EU assistance to prioritise civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists; calls on the Council to consider sanctions against those responsible for violations;

6. Urges Tanzania to abolish the death penalty and commute all death sentences;

7. Considers the recent elections neither free nor fair;

8. Calls on Tanzania to engage in an inclusive political dialogue with opposition, civil society and victims’ representatives to address the crisis and enable new, credible and transparent elections;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Tanzania, the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the African Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the SADC and the UN.