Event Summary
On 12 November 2025, staff members from the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) were harassed and intimidated at White Sands Hotel in Dar es Salaam. Their laptops, IDs, and mobile phones were confiscated, and they were ordered to report to the Zonal Crimes Office the next day. Although the devices were later returned, the incident raised serious concerns about surveillance, data integrity, and the growing risks faced by human rights defenders in Tanzania’s post-election environment. This harassment occurred against the backdrop of the 29 October 2025 General Election, which triggered nationwide protests mobilized through social media platforms like TikTok. Security forces responded with tear gas and live ammunition, causing numerous deaths while authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout. In the aftermath, 641 individuals, including influencers and journalists, were arrested and charged with treason or conspiracy to commit treason, particularly in protest hotspots such as Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Njombe, and Mwanza.
On 14 November 2025, during the inauguration of the 13th Parliament, President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw charges against young people who appeared to have joined protests without fully understanding their actions. While this directive signals partial responsiveness, the earlier violent crackdown, mass arrests, and intimidation of civil society actors reflect a shrinking civic space. The enabling environment for civil society in Tanzania remains fragile, marked by fear, self-censorship, and weakened trust in democratic institutions.