The United Nations has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the killings and other human rights violations committed during Tanzania's recent elections.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 11, the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, revealed that information obtained by the agency revealed that hundreds of protesters and other people were killed, and an unknown number injured, while others were detained.
He also disclosed that reports reaching the UN Human Rights office indicated that bodies of those killed during the protests may have been taken by security forces to undisclosed locations.
"The Office has been unable to independently verify the casualty figures owing to the volatile security situation and the Internet shutdown which followed the vote," Türk said.
“Reports of families desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another are harrowing," he added.
In his directive, the UN Chief called on the Tanzanian government to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing, and to hand over the bodies of those killed.
Türk further revealed that the UN had also received disturbing reports that security forces were seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations.
He called for the unconditional release of all opposition figures arrested before the general election, including opposition leader Tundu Lissu, and all other individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.
The UN noted that more than 150 people had been arrested since the elections, with the legal basis unclear, while many of them, including children allegedly charged with treason.
"It is essential that all those arrested or detained on criminal charges are promptly presented before a judicial officer, and can effectively contest the lawfulness of their detention,” Türk stated.
This comes even as the Kenyan family whose kin was allegedly killed in Tanzania continues to rally President William Ruto's administration to help in the repatriation of the deceased's body.
John Ogutu, who served as a teacher in Tanzania, was reportedly killed on October 29, during the country's general elections in which President Samia Suluhu emerged as the winner.
