Tanzania has dismissed the latest Human Rights Watch report detailing various rights abuses in the country ahead of local government elections next month, saying it is exaggerated and lacks credibility. HRW on Wednesday called on Tanzanian authorities to "take urgent steps to reverse the deteriorating human rights situation in the country" ahead of the November 27 civic polls, including ending a crackdown on opposition voices and ensuring "prompt and impartial" investigations into abuses. "No country is perfect, but the human rights situation in Tanzania is not as bad as HRW is claiming. "HRW should not be claiming we are breaking laws but rather pointing out any problems with the laws that are in place. It said the "oppressive measures" mirrored the climate ahead of Tanzania's 2020 general election, "when there was a (similar) marked deterioration in freedom of expression and association and other human rights".

Source: Daily Nation October 17, 2024 18:17 UTC