Martha Karua, a former justice minister in Kenya, has been detained and awaits deportation in Tanzania as she aimed to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu during his court proceedings.
Martha Karua Detained in Tanzania During Opposition Leader's Court Appearance
Martha Karua Detained in Tanzania During Opposition Leader's Court Appearance
Outcry from Human Rights Activists Follow Detention of Prominent Kenyan Lawyer
Leading Kenyan lawyer and human rights advocate Martha Karua has found herself detained in Tanzania after traveling to the country to attend the court hearing of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The former Justice Minister, who has been vocal against democratic decline in East Africa, announced her situation via social media while she awaited deportation at the Dar es Salaam airport. Along with her, two colleagues, lawyer Gloria Kimani and human rights campaigner Lynn Ngugi, also faced detainment.
Despite their prior allowance into Tanzania for Lissu’s earlier court appearance on April 15, authorities have taken issue with their presence this time. Karua reported three hours of questioning, after which her passport was confiscated. Legal representatives from the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition have criticized this “arbitrary arrest” and are working to secure their release, highlighting a growing concern around the government’s treatment of dissent as elections approach in October.
Lissu, the leader of Tanzania's main opposition party Chadema, has been entangled in legal challenges, facing treason charges that could lead to the death penalty. His party has been barred from contesting in the forthcoming elections due to non-compliance with the electoral commission's so-called code of conduct, perceived by opposition members as a mechanism for political suppression. As the ruling CCM party prepares for the elections, there are fears that the oppressive political climate reminiscent of former President John Magufuli's era is resurfacing under current President Samia Suluhu Hassan's leadership.
Despite their prior allowance into Tanzania for Lissu’s earlier court appearance on April 15, authorities have taken issue with their presence this time. Karua reported three hours of questioning, after which her passport was confiscated. Legal representatives from the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition have criticized this “arbitrary arrest” and are working to secure their release, highlighting a growing concern around the government’s treatment of dissent as elections approach in October.
Lissu, the leader of Tanzania's main opposition party Chadema, has been entangled in legal challenges, facing treason charges that could lead to the death penalty. His party has been barred from contesting in the forthcoming elections due to non-compliance with the electoral commission's so-called code of conduct, perceived by opposition members as a mechanism for political suppression. As the ruling CCM party prepares for the elections, there are fears that the oppressive political climate reminiscent of former President John Magufuli's era is resurfacing under current President Samia Suluhu Hassan's leadership.
