Source: European Parliament
with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Karin Karlsbro, Moritz Körner, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Michal Wiezik, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group
NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.
B10‑0263/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Chair of CHADEMA, was arrested on 9 April 2025 after an opposition rally and charged on 10 April with treason – a crime punishable by death under Tanzanian law; whereas the charges allege he urged the public to rebel and disrupt the upcoming elections;
B. whereas Tundu Lissu has been held without bail since 10 April and was initially detained incommunicado with no access to his lawyers or family, in breach of his right to a fair trial;
C. whereas two senior CHADEMA officials were arrested on 24 April in another example of the crackdown on the opposition; whereas security forces have violently dispersed peaceful rallies of Lissu’s supporters;whereas vocal regime critic Father Charles Kitima was brutally attacked on 30 April;
D. whereas Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission disqualified CHADEMA from the 2025 elections after the party refused to sign an election code of conduct; whereas CHADEMA boycotted the signing to demand electoral reforms, including an independent electoral commission;
E. whereas these actions against Tundu Lissu and CHADEMA reflect a wider pattern of repression in Tanzania; whereas opposition figures have faced repeated arrests and violence, and there have been alarming reports of abductions and extrajudicial killings of government critics that remain unresolved, drawing international condemnation;
1. Strongly condemns the arrest of Tundu Lissu and the charges against him which appear to be politically motivated; calls for his immediate release and dismissal of charges;
2. Expresses deep concern that Lissu has been charged with an offence carrying the death penalty while being denied due process; urges the Tanzanian authorities to uphold his right to a fair trial and to ensure that no death sentence is imposed;
3. Urges the Tanzanian government to cease all persecution of opposition members and supporters; demands the immediate release of all other political prisoners and an end to the use of security forces and laws to stifle peaceful dissent; calls for independent investigations into alleged abductions and killings;
4. Calls on the Tanzanian authorities to reinstate CHADEMA’s full participation in the 2025 elections and to engage in dialogue with the opposition; insists on urgent electoral reforms to guarantee free and fair elections, in line with international democratic standards;
5. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to closely monitor the situation and raise these concerns with the Tanzanian authorities; urges them to consider appropriate measures if the human rights situation continues to deteriorate;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President and Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, the African Union, the East African Community, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the Vice‑President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.