Families demand justice after 500 deaths in Tanzania election violence
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Club of Mozambique
Families of victims of election violence in Tanzania are demanding justice and help with medical costs for the injured, after unrest that left at least 500 people dead according to an official tally. On the eve of the election anniversary, Amnesty International accuses Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of using counterterrorism laws to silence critics, the BBC reports.
As the first anniversary of the election-related violence in Tanzania approaches, victims’ families are demanding justice and help with the medical costs of the injured. A government-appointed commission of inquiry recorded 518 deaths from unnatural causes during the unrest, including 197 people shot dead, the BBC reports.
Neema Munuo, whose 18-year-old daughter, Maria Chami, was shot dead on polling day, is calling on the government to acknowledge her family’s suffering. Meshack Sane, who was shot in the leg, says he can no longer afford his hospital bills. Amnesty International says no officials have faced criminal investigation or prosecution for the excessive use of force against protesters. Tanzanian authorities have repeatedly rejected allegations of widespread human rights violations.
The violence followed the election won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan with 98% of the vote. The president’s two main challengers had been excluded from the race, and the opposition called the result a democratic “charade”. The demands for justice follow the commemoration of victims of election repression on 29 October and Amnesty’s allegations of impunity on 28 October.
