Lobby group demands release of activists held in Tanzania, including Uganda’s Agather Atuhaire
The Ugandan High Commission in Uganda has also written to Tanzanian authorities seeking access to her
The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has called for the unconditional release of Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire and all Tanzanian activists who are currently detained in violation of international and regional human rights standards.
Speaking after the release of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, PRWG-K condemned the continued detention of Atuhaire.
“We express deep concern for the fate of Ugandan Human Rights Defender Agather Atuhaire, who was last seen on Monday in the custody of the Tanzanian authorities. Agather was arrested with Boniface Mwangi and has yet to be released or produced in a court of law,” PRWG-K said in a statement.
The Ugandan High Commission in Tanzania has also written to Tanzanian authorities seeking access to her.
In a note verbale dated Thursday, May 22, Uganda’s High Commissioner Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye said the mission received information about Atuhaire’s arrest and now seeks to talk to her and assess the possibility of securing her release and return to Uganda.
According to PRWG-K, the action by Tanzania violate Article 13 (6) of their own Constitution which provides for fair hearing, equality before the law, human dignity and freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment adding that it also violates the EAC Treaty, particularly Articles 6 and 7 (2), which obligate states to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
“The Government of Tanzania cannot hide behind national sovereignty to justify committing serious crimes and human rights violations against its citizens and other East Africans. We remain very concerned with the continued enforced disappearance of Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, who was detained alongside Mwangi,” they stated.
They have further called on the community of nations, including regional and international human rights mechanisms such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner and the Committee against Torture alongside the Kenyan and Ugandan governments to urgently and publicly express concerns demand the protection of their citizens’ rights in Tanzania.
Their statement comes after Mwangi was released from detention and transported by road before being dumped in Kwale County.
Confirming his release by the Tanzanian authorities without giving details, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said he was released by the authorities today morning before they received him.
The Commission added that he would be transferred to Nairobi for medical attention and that he was in high spirits.
“This morning, KNCHR received Human Rights Defender Boniface Mwangi in Kwale County following his release from Tanzanian Authorities. He is in high spirits. The Commission and other partners are making arrangements to transfer him to Nairobi for medical attention,” KNHCR said in a statement on social media.
Videos posted on social media indicated a weak Mwangi not unable to walk as he was pushed on a wheelchair at the Ukunda Airstrip to be airlifted to Nairobi.
