EU condemns killings in Tanzania, opposition leader’s imprisonment

The European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly adopted resolutions denouncing the multiple episodes of human rights violations in Tanzania, Iran and Tunisia.

The European Union’s law-making body condemned the post-election killings in Tanzania and the worsening rights infringement, including the incarceration of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

This week, a group of legal and human rights organizations petitioned the Prosecutor’s Office at at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Samia Suluhu for allegedly orchestrating crimes against humanity.

Lawyers and activists accuse Tanzanian security forces of murdering thousands of civilians, carrying out disappearances and sexual violence, torturing detainees, and displacing Maasai communities.

In its resolution, the European Parliament slammed the use of violence by the Tanzanian authorities after the October 2025 elections, “which resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries amid reports of mass graves.”

The lawmakers urged the Tanzanian government to engage in a political dialogue with opposition, civil society and victims’ representatives to address the crisis and enable new, credible and transparent elections.

MEP deplored “the politically motivated detention” of Tundu Lissu, who was barred from the election and charged with a capital offence. They called for his immediate and unconditional release and advised Tanzania to abolish the death penalty and commute all death sentences.

European Parliament demands a fair and thorough investigation into suspects of killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other violations, as well as a comprehensive African-led inquiry commission.

MEPs urged the EU Commission and the Council to halt direct support to Tanzanian authorities, prioritise civil society, human rights defenders and journalists in EU assistance, and consider sanctions against the instigators of violations.

The parliament, however, condemned the systemic suppression and escalating persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community through detention, harassment property confiscation and other fundamental rights violations.

MEPs wants Iran’s authorities to cease violence against the community, release people detained for religious beliefs, compensate victims, return all seized assets and provide access to education, employment and services.

The parliament also expressed concern about the deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Tunisia, highlighting the case of lawyer and journalist Sonia Dahmani, who was just released.

The resolution advocates the release of other individuals detained for the same offences.

“The Tunisian authorities must protect freedom of assembly and expression as well as the independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the Tunisian Constitution.

“They should repeal Decree-Law 54, which has become a tool to interfere with fundamental freedoms,” MEPs said.

EU condemns killings in Tanzania, opposition leader’s imprisonment