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Tanzania: Secrecy On Leading to Unnecessary Anxiety
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The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
EDITORIAL
16 May 2008
Posted to the web 16 May 2008
Today marks the fifth day since security personnel picked up from Pemba, eight people suspected to have been behind a memorandum presented to the United Nations offices in Dar es Salaam, calling for the island's secession from Zanzibar and the Union Government.
This followed mounting political tension in the Isles after the Mwafaka talks between the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi and the opposition Civic United Front hit a deadlock.
The whereabouts of the suspects have not been established, prompting panic among their family members and public anxiety over their fate.
As they remain incommunicado, public apprehension is bound to increase, with their families becoming even more desperate.
It's understandable that this is a serious matter, with talk that the 12 men could face serious charges; possibly treason.
We appreciate that matters touching on national security are so sensitive that they must never be compromised.
However, there are basic rights, which the authorities must uphold.
It's for this reason that yesterday's assurance by police that the suspects are fine and being treated well is welcome.
However, this is not enough.
Some family members say police have blocked them from seeing the suspects.
Their anguish is thus compounded by the secrecy surrounding the whole issue.
While there has been no official word on what charges the suspects are being held over, it is only fair that their families and lawyers be allowed access to them.
But more importantly, the law requires that suspects be produced in court within 48 hours of their arrest.
Police may argue that they have been constrained by some extreme circumstances to comply with those requirements, but it's no justification for violation of individual rights.
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However, we wish to add ours to the increasing voice to the Government to consider this as a purely political issue and seriously look into the grievances the people of Pemba appear to have.
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