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Speech

53rd Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK Statement on Tanzania

Statement by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Tanzania's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Eleanor Sanders
Published:
5 November 2026
Location:
Geneva
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Eleanor Sanders

Thank you.

The UK welcomes Tanzania’s participation in the UPR.

We remain deeply concerned by the violence around Tanzania’s October 2025 elections, including the reported excessive force by security forces and significant loss of life.

We regret that the Commission of Inquiry’s report was not published and emphasise the importance of accountability and inclusive reconciliation. We note the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s opinion that the detention of opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, is arbitrary and raises serious fair trial concerns.

The UK recommends Tanzania:

  1. Ensures transparent and accountable justice mechanisms to address human rights violations during the 2025 electoral period, including through independent investigations, prosecution of perpetrators including state actors, and remedies for victims.

  2. Ends prolonged pre-trial detention and reviews the use of non-bailable offences against political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders and civil society actors.

  3. Amends or repeals restrictive provisions of the Political Parties Act, Media Services Act, Cybercrimes Act and Electronic and Postal Communications Act.

Thank you.