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Rights commission calls for CCM-CUF dialogue over Isles

The Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG) chairman Bahame Nyanduga.

What you need to know:

  • The call is contained in a statement released to the media by CHRGG chairman Bahame Nyanduga.
  • Mr Nyanduga said CHRGG was gravely concerned about the situation in Zanzibar, especially in Pemba.

Dar es Salaam. The Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG) has urged CCM and CUF leaders to engage in dialogue so as to end the prevailing political and social tensions in Pemba.

The call is contained in a statement released to the media by CHRGG chairman Bahame Nyanduga.

Mr Nyanduga said CHRGG was gravely concerned about the situation in Zanzibar, especially in Pemba.

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The situation in Pemba has worsened following CUF’s decision to snub the March 20 repeat polls, with daily reports of human rights violations, sabotage and divisions among the people on ideological lines.

CUF, which claims it won the elections held on October 25, last year, complains that its leaders are arbitrarily arrested and held for a long time by police without charge.

“To avert any chaos in the future, there is a need for the two main parties CCM and CUF to engage each other in finding a lasting solution to the tension growing among their supporters,” says the CHRGG statement. CHRGG also urged police to abide by the principles of good governance by making sure that people’s rights were not violated.

The commission also condemned a statement by Zanzibar Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions which said all those arrested on suspicion of vandalism and damaging other people’s property would be denied legal representation.

By issuing the statement, the deputy DPP has violated Article 21(2) of the Zanzibar Constitution which grants people in the Isles the right to legal representation.

“The idea to ban lawyers from representing suspects is null and void because it violates principles of human rights and fair trial,” said Mr Nyanduga in the statement. He said CHRGG was concerned about deteriorating security situation in Zanzibar. Mr Nyanduga added that some people were now discriminating against each other in various social activities.

“It is shocking that people are denied access to various social services due to political differences. It has reached a point where couples have divorced due to political differences,” he said.

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