Tanzania: Political Prisoners
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of (a) the release of political prisoners detained following the post-election unrest in Tanzania, (b) restrictions on freedom of expression and media access in that country and (c) the adequacy of consular support available to British nationals in Tanzania.
Answered by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The violence that took place during Tanzania's October 2025 elections, including reports of widespread extrajudicial killings and the concealment of bodies, was shocking. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry found evidence that at least 518 people were killed and acknowledged the possibility the actual figure was higher. UN experts pointed to other estimates of potentially thousands of victims. Together with like-minded partners, we have called for the Commission's findings to be published in full and for those responsible for the killing of civilians to be held to account. We have pressed for the Criminal Investigation Commission that is now underway to be transparent and inclusive.
The Government continues to raise the issue of political prisoners, including the case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, through Ministerial channels and the British High Commission. We are closely monitoring the ongoing harassment, abduction and intimidation of opposition, journalists and civil society actors, as well as the censorship of major media houses, undermining freedom of expression. Our Travel Advice is regularly updated to assist British Nationals in Tanzania, and full consular support is offered at the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam.
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