CPJ, 29 others call on UN to act on ‘unprecedented’ rights abuses in Tanzania

Nairobi, December 5, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 29 other human rights organizations in urging member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to “take action to prevent further abuses” in Tanzania, in the wake of a brutal government crackdown following October 29 elections.

In their letter, the organizations note that credible reports point to hundreds of people being killed by police and unidentified security personnel amid widespread protests, although media restrictions, a government-imposed lockdown, and internet and electricity shutdowns in the days following the elections have made it difficult to verify the death toll.

The organizations urged the intergovernmental UNHRC, which is mandated with promoting and protecting human rights globally, to debate the situation in Tanzania and, if needed, convened of a special session of the Council to address the deteriorating human rights situation.

Read the full letter in English and French.