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This European ambassador from Tanzania on "the deterioration of human rights and rule of law". This cam shortly after Dar es Salaam regional commissioner called for the outing and arrest of homosexuals.
The EU further said it would be conducting a "wide review" of its relations with Tanzania amid fears of increased persecution of gay people.
Paul Makonda, the chief executive of the capital last week announced a special committee would be set up to identify and punish homosexuals, prostitutes and online fraudsters. He called on the public to report suspected gay people to authorities.
The US also warned its citizens in Tanzania to be cautious after the announcement of the crackdown on homosexuality, a criminal offense in the country. President John Magufuli has been crowned on the homosexuality of winning power in 2015. A conviction for having "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" could lead to a sentence of up to 30 years in jail. The following is an official policy, but Makonda 's personal views, distancing itself from a citywide crackdown slammed by rights groups.
It is, however, important to look Tanzania's conduct beyond this crackdown. In May, Civil Society Organizations from across the world wrote to President Magufuli to express their concern over the worrying decline in respect of human rights, including the rights to freedom of association, phrase and peaceful assembly, in Tanzania. "They were crucial to the role of civil society and to recognizing the essential role of a vibrant civil society and an independent media player in creating peaceful and equal societies," they wrote.
Unwarranted closure of media outlets, judicial persecution and harassment of journalists, the targeted assassination of opposition parties, blanket restrictions on peaceful protests and the invocation of a raft of laws to undermine freedom of speech by the Front Line Defenders .
It is only this week that CPJ's sub-Saharan Africa representative Muthoki Mumo, in Kenyan, and Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa program coordinator were arrested and briefly held by Tanzanian authorities, allegedly for violating their visa requirements. Last year, Tanzania's Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament Tundu Lissu was shot by unknown assailants in an attempted murder and hospitalized at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.
This is a very worrying trend in Tanzania that needs to be checked. EU did not send them back.
Kibii comments on current affairs
