resolution motion, 24 November 2025
On post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu
Motion B-10-2025-0524 · (2025/2990(RSP))
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Abir AlSahlani, Dan Barna, Barry Andrews, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Helmut Brandstätter, Charles Goerens, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Yvan Verougstraete, Lucia Yar
AI:In short
This resolution denounces violence by Tanzanian security forces after the October 2025 elections and urges the government to stop crackdowns, lift restrictions, and respect freedoms. It calls for due process for opposition members, an external investigation into human rights violations, targeted EU measures, and inclusive national dialogue.
Key points
- Denounces violence and excessive force by Tanzanian security forces after the October 2025 elections, and the government's denial of wrongdoing amid reports of mass graves.
- Urges the Tanzanian government and security forces to cease violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators and political opponents, lift undue restrictions on communications, and respect fundamental freedoms.
- Laments the failure to implement demands from its May 2025 resolution, including release of Tundu Lissu, judicial reforms, human rights improvements, and electoral reform.
- Welcomes the Commission's withdrawal of its draft implementing decision and calls for putting on hold direct support to the government while ensuring funding to NGOs and civil society is not impacted.
- Urges Tanzanian authorities to ensure due process and an independent judiciary in all proceedings against opposition members and protesters, particularly in the case of Mr. Lissu.
- Calls for a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation by an external credible partner into human rights violations during and after the elections, ensuring accountability and justice.
- Welcomes actions of African regional organisations and calls on the EU to consider targeted measures against those responsible, while encouraging the East African Community to engage in mediation.
- Calls on the President and government of Tanzania to engage in inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation with victims, opposition, and civil society.
Who is affected
- Tanzanian government and security forces: must stop violence, lift restrictions, ensure due process, and engage in dialogue.
- Opposition members and protesters, including Tundu Lissu: should receive due process and benefit from investigation and accountability.
- EU and Commission: to hold direct support to the government, consider targeted measures, and ensure NGO funding continues.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 20 paragraphs
B100524/2025
European Parliament resolution on post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu
(2025/2990(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas Tanzania held general elections on 29 October 2025, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with over 97% of the vote after the two main opposition candidates were disqualified or barred;
whereas the aftermath of the election saw widespread protests and a brutal crackdown by security forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths and arrests, particularly impacting young people, and nationwide internet and media restrictions;
whereas Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, was arrested on 9 April 2025 and charged with treason, a capital offence, and with cybercrimerelated accusations, in a context of severe political repression;
whereas the African Union and SADC election observation missions sharply criticised the conduct of the elections, citing extensive irregularities, lack of transparency, and the exclusion of major opposition candidates;
whereas the VP/HR expressed serious concern over the post-electoral violence and noted the lack of a level playing field, marked by abductions, disappearances and a shrinking civic space;
whereas Tanzania’s deteriorating human rights record, including arbitrary arrests, disappearances, media suppression and violence against political opponents, contradicts the EU’s core values and the principles underpinning EU external action.
Denounces the violence and excessive use of force by Tanzanian security forces following the October 2025 elections, and the Government’s denial of wrongdoing, amidst reports of mass graves;
Read the rest (8 paragraphs)
Urges the Government of Tanzania and security forces to immediately cease violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators and political opponents, lift undue restrictions on communications, and respect fundamental freedoms;
Recalls its resolution of 8 May 2025 and laments the Tanzanian authority’s failure to implement its demands, including the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Tundu Lissu, judicial reforms, improvements in the human rights situation and meaningful electoral reform;
Welcomes the Commission’s decision to withdraw its draft implementing decision (D110180/02), and calls on putting on hold a direct support to the Government, while ensuring funding to NGOs, civil society and international organisations is not impacted;
Urges the Tanzanian authorities to ensure due process and an independent judiciary in all proceedings against opposition members and protesters, particularly in the case of Mr. Lissu;
Calls for a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation, by an external credible partner, in line with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, into human rights violations committed during and after the elections, and ensure accountability and justice for victims;
Welcomes the actions of African regional organisations, including the AU and SADC, and calls on the EU to consider targeted measures against those responsible while encouraging the East African Community to engage actively in mediation;
Calls on President and government of Tanzania to engage in inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation efforts with victims, opposition, and civil society to address the crisis and restore trust;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Tanzania, the African Union and the VP/HR.