East African lawyers want the United Nations and the African Union to punish Tanzania for hurting two activists. Agather Atuhaire from Uganda and Boniface Mwangi from Kenya went to Dar es Salaam on May 19 to watch a court case. Tanzanian police arrested both people without giving a reason for the detention. Security forces held them for several days without letting them contact family members or lawyers. Atuhaire told reporters that guards raped her during the time she spent locked up.
The East Africa Law Society represents legal groups from eight countries across the region. President Ramadhan Abubakar said Tanzania broke many laws when police kept the activists hidden from public view. Tanzanian rules require police to bring arrested people before judges within 24 hours of detention. East African Community treaties protect the right of citizens to move freely between member countries. The lawyer's group believes Tanzania violated international agreements about human rights and fair treatment.
Other people came to watch the same trial and faced different treatment from the authorities. Former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and former Justice Minister Martha Karua were sent home quickly after brief detention. Tanzania accused opposition leader Tundu Lissu of treason, but critics call the charges fake. The law society demands that Tanzania investigate the torture cases and help both victims recover from their injuries.
The East Africa Law Society represents legal groups from eight countries across the region. President Ramadhan Abubakar said Tanzania broke many laws when police kept the activists hidden from public view. Tanzanian rules require police to bring arrested people before judges within 24 hours of detention. East African Community treaties protect the right of citizens to move freely between member countries. The lawyer's group believes Tanzania violated international agreements about human rights and fair treatment.
Other people came to watch the same trial and faced different treatment from the authorities. Former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and former Justice Minister Martha Karua were sent home quickly after brief detention. Tanzania accused opposition leader Tundu Lissu of treason, but critics call the charges fake. The law society demands that Tanzania investigate the torture cases and help both victims recover from their injuries.
