LHRC calls on government to sign an international convention to combat enforced disappearances

Dar es Salaam. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has urged the Tanzanian government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance of 1994 to address cases of abductions and forced disappearances.

LHRC executive director Anna Henga made the call on Friday, August 30, 2024, when marking International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances celebrated annually on August 30.

She said the convention ratification would enhance individual protections and demonstrate Tanzania’s commitment to international human rights standards.

"By ratifying the convention, the government would not only reaffirm its dedication to preventing such abuses but also bolster public confidence in the nation's commitment to security and human rights," she said.

Read: Parents, schools on alert amid child disappearance reports

Ms Henga called on the government to fortify community-level security in collaboration with the citizens and ensure that comprehensive investigations were carried out into recent incidents, which disproportionately impact children, women, and the broader community.

Her call comes weeks after the opposition Chadema called for a judicial inquiry into the surge of alleged abductions and killings in Tanzania.

Addressing journalists at the party’s headquarters, Mr Mbowe highlighted that over 60 percent of reported cases occurred in Dar es Salaam, raising concerns about targeted political violence.

However, a court ruling dismissed the cases, citing a lack of evidence linking the police to the abductions and enforced disappearances.

On August 28, 2024, the High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Division, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant authorities to investigate the whereabouts of the missing Chadema’s youth wing (Bavicha) leaders.

The three leaders who went missing on August 18, 2024, were Bavicha chairman in Temeke District Deusdedith Soka, his secretary Jacob Mlay, and motorcycle rider Frank Mbise.

Read: Shock as the number of people missing mysteriously in Tanzania increases

Their whereabouts still remain unknown, as the court said it was satisfied with police reports that the law enforcers were not the ones withholding the three.

Judge Wilfred Dyansobera, who heard the petition on Tuesday, August 27, said he is exercising his discretionary powers to provide other relief as requested by the petitioners, including ordering an investigation into the whereabouts of the petitioners.

“In consideration of the two petitions and the court’s authority under Regulation 12 of 1930, the court orders the first to the fifth respondents to investigate the whereabouts of the petitioners,” Judge Dyansobera ruled.

Despite this, Henga affirmed LHRC's solidarity with global human rights advocates in observing International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances and Abductions: "We stand with the international community in remembering those who have disappeared and their families, who endure the anguish of uncertainty.”

Further, she said increased disappearances and suspicious deaths had heightened community anxiety and unrest.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted by the United Nations in 1994, provides a framework for addressing such violations, noting that Tanzania hasn’t ratified the document.

According to her, Article 1 of the Convention prohibits arbitrary detention and abduction, while Article 2 defines acts of enforced disappearance and abduction.

The Convention ensures accountability and transparency in addressing these severe human rights violations.