Tanzanian immigration officials detained and deported Zimbabwean human rights activist Blessing Vava on Tuesday after labeling him a security risk upon his arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Vava, who leads the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, had traveled to meet with civil society organizations ahead of elections held on Wednesday. Authorities confiscated his passport and interrogated him for several hours before declaring him unwelcome.
He spent the night confined in an airport cell without blankets before his removal on Wednesday. The coalition criticized the action as an attack on human rights that contradicts Pan African values. Vava's visit aimed to connect with groups facing government pressure under President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the nation conducted presidential and parliamentary voting without its main opposition party participating. Tanzania has not commented on the deportation.
He spent the night confined in an airport cell without blankets before his removal on Wednesday. The coalition criticized the action as an attack on human rights that contradicts Pan African values. Vava's visit aimed to connect with groups facing government pressure under President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the nation conducted presidential and parliamentary voting without its main opposition party participating. Tanzania has not commented on the deportation.
