Karua's detention has sparked widespread condemnation and raised alarms about human rights in the region.
Martha Karua Detained in Tanzania Amid Political Tensions
Martha Karua Detained in Tanzania Amid Political Tensions
Leading Kenyan human rights advocate Martha Karua has reportedly been detained after arriving in Tanzania for a court appearance linked to an opposition leader's treason charge.
In a controversial development, Martha Karua, the former Justice Minister of Kenya and notable human rights advocate, was detained upon her arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport in Tanzania. She had traveled to observe the court proceedings of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges. Karua announced her detention via social media, stating she, alongside two colleagues, was awaiting deportation while Tanzanian authorities remained silent on the matter.
Karua, who served as Kenya's justice minister from 2005 to 2009, has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights across East Africa. She criticized what she perceives as "democratic backsliding" in the region. Adding to her activism, she represents Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who faced similar politically motivated charges after being forcibly returned to Uganda.
Her spokesperson revealed that Karua had undergone three hours of questioning at the airport, with her passport confiscated in the process. Allies in the human rights community have condemned this act as an "arbitrary arrest," with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition stepping in to secure her release, expressing shock given Karua's previous access to the country for similar purposes.
The backdrop of this incident is the increasing suppression of opposition voices in Tanzania ahead of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for October. Lissu, the key opposition figure arrested after rallying for electoral reforms, remains in detention without bail, the grave nature of his charges overshadowing his demands for transparency in Tanzania's electoral process.
Despite previous promises of greater political freedom under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's leadership since 2021, critics argue that signs of repression reminiscent of her predecessor's regime are becoming evident. Critics of the ruling CCM party maintain that the government manipulates laws to reinforce its hold on power, with many fearing this trend will continue in the lead-up to the elections.
Karua, who served as Kenya's justice minister from 2005 to 2009, has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights across East Africa. She criticized what she perceives as "democratic backsliding" in the region. Adding to her activism, she represents Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who faced similar politically motivated charges after being forcibly returned to Uganda.
Her spokesperson revealed that Karua had undergone three hours of questioning at the airport, with her passport confiscated in the process. Allies in the human rights community have condemned this act as an "arbitrary arrest," with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition stepping in to secure her release, expressing shock given Karua's previous access to the country for similar purposes.
The backdrop of this incident is the increasing suppression of opposition voices in Tanzania ahead of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for October. Lissu, the key opposition figure arrested after rallying for electoral reforms, remains in detention without bail, the grave nature of his charges overshadowing his demands for transparency in Tanzania's electoral process.
Despite previous promises of greater political freedom under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's leadership since 2021, critics argue that signs of repression reminiscent of her predecessor's regime are becoming evident. Critics of the ruling CCM party maintain that the government manipulates laws to reinforce its hold on power, with many fearing this trend will continue in the lead-up to the elections.
