Urgent Action: Another journalist arrested to silence dissent

Erick Kabendera, a well-respected journalist whose investigations have been critical of the human rights record of the Tanzanian government, was taken by six men in plainclothes from his home in Dar es Salaam on 29 July without explanation, according to family sources.

Held incommunicado for more than 24 hours, he was charged on 5 August with three offences that he allegedly committed between January 2015 and July 2019 in Dar es Salaam. Concerns have also been raised for his wellbeing, as his health has deteriorated since his detention.

Since President John Magufuli took office in November 2015, his government has used repressive laws to restrict the right to freedom of expression and media freedom, in violation of Tanzania’s Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.

The restrictions, which are enforced by police and regulatory authorities, are used to arbitrarily arrest and detain journalists that are critical of the policies and human rights record of the Tanzanian government in country and abroad.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION before 11 November 2019

Please write using your own words or the template letter provided in the attached documents, in English or your own language, to the listed address as soon as possible: 

President John P. Magufuli

P.O. Box 11400,

Dar es Salaam,

Tanzania

Email: ikulu@ikulu.go.tz