EU recalls Tanzania ambassador amid call for gay arrests


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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The European Union's ambassador to Tanzania, citing "the deterioration of the human rights and the rule of law" in the East African country.

A statement emailed to the Associated Press on Monday said the EU will be conducting a broad review of its relations with Tanzania.

The statement does not mention specific issues, but there are some issues in the history of homosexuals after Dar es Salaam Commissioner Paul Makonda urged Tanzanians to spy on suspected gays and lesbians and to report their activities.

Tanzania: Makonda stated its opinion and does not speak for the administration.

Tanzania's government will continue to do so, it said, adding that it protects the country's constitution.

Prominent rights defender Onesmo Olengurumwa of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition said Monday that Makonda's call for a crackdown on gays violates the right to privacy and infringement on basic human rights.

Makonda told a news conference last week that he loves to eradicate homosexuality and prostitution in Tanzania. The public had already confirmed the homosexuals, he said.

Homosexuality is criminalized in Tanzania and also many other countries.

In 2014, this is the original version of the law that was originally written for the homosexual offenses. That law has been declared unconstitutional and jettisoned amid international pressure.

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