Human rights activists Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart, Agather Atuhaire, have sued the Tanzanian government, accusing it of grave human rights violations.
While filing their case at the East African Court of Justice on Friday, July 18, the two parties made several demands, including compensation of at least one million dollars (approximately Ksh129 million) each. This followed their alleged torture over three days by individuals believed to be Tanzanian authorities.
The latest development comes one month after the pair went public with chilling accounts of abduction, sexual assault, and torture, and follows through on their earlier pledge to take legal action against the Tanzanian government.
In the case, which at least seven civil society groups support, the two also accused the governments of Kenya and Uganda of complicity in their alleged abductions. They are demanding a public apology from both states, as well as from the Kenyan government.
The two also demanded rehabilitation and psychosocial support over their ordeal in Tanzania. They had travelled to Tanzania in solidarity with opposition figure Tindu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
In a written statement released by Mwangi, he described what they went through as evil and an attempt to silence them, but vowed to remain strong and vocal against oppressive regimes.
“What happened to us was evil and meant to silence us, but we refused. We are going to court not only to fight for justice, but to show the world what happened to us in the dark,” Mwangi averred.
Mwangi was apprehended on May 19 while in Dar es Salaam and was later reportedly detained at Central Police Station in Tanzania before being taken to an unknown location.
He was released on Thursday, May 22, after being in detention for more than three days. He was deported by road from Tanzania and found in Ukunda, according to his family and lawyers.
On the other hand, Agather was found abandoned at the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania on Friday, May 23.
Both activists accused President Suluhu of facilitating their torture at the hands of authorities, with Mwangi describing the ordeal as the worst form of torture, alleging that they were threatened with public humiliation should they disclose details of their treatment.
While narrating his ordeal, Mwangi revealed that he could not walk properly, with images shared online showing injuries to his feet and body. The images further showed him in a deplorable state. He was later airlifted to Nairobi, where he is currently receiving treatment.
In the case of Agather, she was reported to be in a bad condition after her release and lawyer James Kamau claimed she had been abused by the authorities.
