COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF VICTIMS OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES.

The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) today, August 30, 2024, joins human rights advocates worldwide in commemorating the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances. We stand in solidarity with the international community to commemorate all those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances, and their families which continue to suffer due to these heinous acts. Incidents of enforced disappearances indicate grave violations of human rights, leaving families of victims in anguish, uncertain of the fate of their loved ones.

Recently, Tanzania has witnessed a significant increase in cases of enforced disappearances, whether through abductions or under mysterious circumstances with some victims found severely injured, and others killed. These incidents have heightened anxiety within our communities, leading to public unrest and even violence in certain regions of the country.

Notably, the United Nations adopted and passed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 1994. This convention establishes a robust framework for addressing violations of enforced disappearances. Despite belonging to the international community, Tanzania has not neither ratified nor domesticated the broader contents of this Convention to incorporate them into its municipal laws. In the face of the escalating abduction cases, there is compelling reason for Tanzania to ratify this convention to provide stronger protection for its citizens against such incidents.

Article 1 of the convention prohibits the arbitrary detention and abduction of individuals, which contradicts human rights protections. Article 2 defines enforced disappearances to include actions such as arrest, detention, abduction, or any form of deprivation of liberty carried out by the government or its agents by directing others to conceal the fate or whereabouts of the abducted person.

Furthermore, Articles 3 and 6 of the convention require authorities to conduct thorough investigations and take appropriate action to prosecute all those involved in concealing information about abducted individuals through legal channels. Article 24 also mandates authorities that have ratified the convention to provide reparations to all victims of enforced disappearances, including medical expenses, compensation for damages, and psychological support for victims and their families.

In addition to the protections outlined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977, which safeguard the right to life and personal freedom, LHRC calls upon the government to:

I. Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, 1994, to address the increase in cases of disappearance and abduction. This convention establishes stringent procedures for protecting individuals against abduction. This step will demonstrate Tanzania's commitment to the international community to combat these acts and enhance public confidence in their protection and security.

II. Strengthen community-level security and protection systems in collaboration with citizens to control these incidents.

III. Direct security and law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigations into recent complaints of such incidents, as these actions disproportionately affect children, women, and entire communities. Click HERE TO DOWNLOAD