Tanzania’s opposition party CHADEMA has condemned the alleged torture of children, family members, and neighbours of Geita Rural Chairperson, Neema Chozaile, in police custody.
In a press release shared on December 10, 2025, CHADEMA’s Director of Communication and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, stated that among the victims were 3-year-old Asteria Sebastian and 5-year-old Elias Sebastian, both reportedly beaten while in police custody.
“We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest, torture, and unlawful detention of the children, family members, and neighbours of Ms. Neema Chozaile-acts carried out with total impunity. Among the victims were 3-year-old Asteria Sebastian and 5-year-old Elias Sebastian, both of whom were beaten while in police custody,” read part of the statement.
According to CHADEMA, the victims, including toddlers, were released on December 9 bearing visible injuries after being threatened into silence.
The party condemned the act, stating, “It’s not law enforcement, it is instead, criminal brutality executed under state authority.”
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Suluhu issued Demands on the alleged torture
CHADEMA has since demanded answers from the President Samia Suluhu-led government, including the Geita Regional Police Command and the Inspector General of Police.
The party demanded to know what crime the children committed that led to their arrest and torture, and also which law allows officers to arrest and assault minors and innocent citizens.
Human Rights institutions, especially those focused on child protection, have been called to intervene in the matter, push for accountability, and ensure that the officers who carried out and ordered these acts are held responsible.
UN Reaction to the Protest Ban
On December 9, 2025, the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Seif Magango, emphasized the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms, including expression, peaceful assembly, and association, ahead of the Independence Day protest in the country.
“We remind security forces that they must refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions. We recall the requirements of international law again in this area, if unavoidable, any use of force, including less lethal weapons, must be restricted to the minimum extent necessary,” stated Magango.
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The UN also issued demands, including the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, and a condition that the government’s investigation into the post-election violence must fully adhere to international standards of independence.
During Tanzania’s Independence Day, authorities restricted movement along major streets in key cities, including Dar es Salaam, Kisesa, and Mwanza.
Petition Against Suluhu to the ICC
In November 2025, the two organizations, led by lawyer Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, filed a petition with the ICC, presenting detailed accounts of crimes against humanity they claim are linked to the country’s 2025 elections.
In a statement dated Tuesday 25, November 2025, the World Jurists Association and the Madrid Bar Association argued that Tanzanian security forces have murdered thousands of civilians, enforced disappearances, tortured detainees, committed sexual violence, and displaced Maasai communities.
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