Restrictions on Freedoms in the Run-Up to Tanzania National Polls

With national elections in Tanzania approaching on October 28, 2020, 65 civil society organisations from across the world have signed a letter to President John Magufuli, expressing their concerns at the steady decline of fundamental rights over the past 5 years, with the situation worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic and the run-up to the elections. Some of the organisations' mentioned the increased harassment, intimidation, prosecution and persecution of political activists, human rights defenders, journalists and media houses, the enactment of restrictive laws, and disregard for regional and international law. Opposition parties have also cried foul over what they called "unjust disqualification" of their parliamentary and councillor candidates, ahead of the elections.