The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Martha Karua, leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), has formally petitioned the African Union Commission (AUC), raising alarm over what she described as the worsening state of the rule of law in Tanzania.
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In a letter also sent to the East African Community (EAC), Karua cited incidents such as the alleged torture of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and the disappearance of Ugandan human rights defender Agather Atuhaire.
She condemned the arrest and deportation of Mwangi and Atuhaire, noting that their detention followed the earlier deportation of six international trial observers. Among them were a former Chief Justice, a former Justice Minister, and a Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council member, who were all stopped upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Karua described the incidents as a “serious violation of both domestic and international human rights obligations” and warned of a worrying trend involving “abductions, forced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings” across the region.
Boniface Mwangi was later released in Ukunda, Kwale County, following his deportation from Tanzania, where he had been held incommunicado. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirmed his release, stating that plans were underway to transfer him to Nairobi for medical treatment.
“He is in high spirits. The Commission and its partners are facilitating his transfer to Nairobi for medical attention,” KNCHR announced.
Mwangi’s release came after Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a protest note to the Tanzanian government, criticizing the lack of access to Mwangi during his detention. The ministry expressed deep concern over his well-being and noted that several requests for consular access had been ignored.
In its protest letter, the ministry said the denial of access contravened the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), to which both Kenya and Tanzania are signatories.
The treaty guarantees consular officers the right to visit nationals of their country who are in detention abroad.
