The United Nations human rights chief has called for an investigation into the alleged killings of hundreds of people during protests following last month’s disputed elections in Tanzania, accusing authorities of an “apparent attempt to conceal evidence.”
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued the statement on Tuesday, pointing to reports that Tanzanian security forces were secretly dumping the bodies of those killed in the violence. He urged authorities to release the bodies to their families for burial.
The call for a probe comes as the Tanzanian government has charged hundreds of people with treason in connection with the demonstrations. Among those wanted is an influential preacher, whose church was deregistered earlier this year after he criticized the government over human rights abuses. Police have also issued arrest warrants for several top opposition officials from the CHADEMA party who have not yet been detained.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, has stated that approximately 2,000 people were killed during three days of protest that erupted after the contested poll. The Tanzanian government has not released an official death toll. The UN has said it believes hundreds of people were killed.
CHADEMA’s leader, Tundu Lissu, has been jailed for several months and also faces treason charges. The charges stem from his calls for electoral reforms ahead of last month’s vote.
The situation has drawn significant international concern, with the UN’s top human rights official now formally demanding transparency and accountability for the alleged actions of Tanzanian security forces and the subsequent legal actions against protesters and opposition figures.
