Resolution on the post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu

The European Parliament adopted by 539 votes to 0, with 27 abstentions, a resolution on the post-election killings and deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

As a reminder, Tanzania’s 29 October 2025 elections were sharply criticised by African regional election observation missions, including those of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Moreover, the EU was not invited to deploy an election observation mission. The elections were followed by widespread protests and a violent crackdown by security forces, involving unlawful and excessive use of force, resulting in deaths, injuries and mass arrests. Tanzanian authorities imposed curfews and a nationwide shutdown of the internet and media and communications infrastructure to block access to information.

Opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Luhaga Mpina were barred from running in the elections. Lissu was arrested on 9 April 2025 and charged with treason, a capital offence under Tanzanian law and he remains in detention under life-threatening conditions.

Parliament condemned the arbitrary and politically motivated detention of opposition leader Lissu and called for his immediate and unconditional release and that he be granted immediate and full access to his family, lawyers and medical care. It denounced the violence and excessive use of force by Tanzanian security forces following the October 2025 elections and condemned the government’s denial of wrongdoing. The resolution called for a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into all alleged killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other violations.

Furthermore, the Tanzanian Government is urged to:

- immediately cease crackdowns and arbitrary arrests of opposition members, protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, to release all those arbitrarily detained, and to lift all internet and media restrictions;

- abolish the death penalty and commute all death sentences;

- engage in an inclusive political dialogue with opposition, civil society and victims’ representatives to address the crisis and enable new, credible and transparent elections.

Lastly, the resolution highlighted Parliament’s demand to the Commission to halt direct support to the Tanzanian authorities and called on the Council to consider sanctions against those responsible for violations.