Kenyan legislator Esther Passaris has raised alarm over the reported mistreatment of activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire, urging Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu to take decisive action and ensure justice is served.
The two activists were arrested in Dar es Salaam on May 20, 2025, during a visit to attend a court session for opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing treason charges. What followed, according to Mwangi, was a harrowing ordeal involving torture and illegal detention at a secret location, allegedly orchestrated by senior Tanzanian security officials.
In a public statement issued on June 2, Passaris condemned the alleged abuse and called on President Suluhu not only as Tanzania’s head of state but as a symbol of progressive leadership in the region.
“I appeal to President Suluhu both as a leader and a woman committed to justice to ensure those responsible for this brutality are held accountable,” Passaris said. “No activist should face torture or humiliation for standing up for democratic values.”
Her remarks reflect growing regional concern over human rights violations, especially in politically sensitive cases. The incident has sparked calls from civil society groups and international observers demanding transparency from Tanzanian authorities.
Passaris emphasized that the abuse suffered by Mwangi and Atuhaire cannot be ignored and must prompt a serious investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
As pressure mounts, eyes are now on President Suluhu’s administration to either stand by its stated commitment to reform or face criticism for enabling repression under the guise of national security.
