The Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya (PRWG-K) has strongly condemned the arrest and incommunicado detention of human rights defenders Boniface Mwangi of Kenya and Agather Atuhaire of Uganda by Tanzanian authorities.
According to PRWG-K, the two activists were in Tanzania to observe court proceedings involving opposition leader Tundu Lissuβan act that is lawful and poses no threat to public order.
Their arrest, the group said, constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and further signals a worrying trend of shrinking civic space and increased abductions in East Africa.βWe are deeply alarmed by reports that both defenders are being denied access to legal representation, communication with their families, and consular services,β read the statement by PRWG-K.
The organization emphasized that such actions contravene international human rights standards and East African Community (EAC) protocols.The group reminded Tanzanian authorities of their commitments under the EAC Treaty, particularly Articles 6 and 7(2), which promote democracy, rule of law, human rights, and the free movement of citizens across member states.β
The continued detention of Boniface and Agather without due process undermines not only their rights but the spirit of East African integration and solidarity,β PRWG-K noted.
The group issued four key demands: the immediate and unconditional release of both Mwangi and Atuhaire; full respect for their rights to legal counsel, family, and consular access; an end to the harassment of human rights defenders in Tanzania; and an independent investigation into the arrests.
PRWG-K concluded by urging the Tanzanian government to uphold its national and international obligations, emphasizing that βthe harassment of civic actors must not be normalized.β
Boniface Mwangi is a prominent Kenyan activist and photojournalist, while Agather Atuhaire is a respected Ugandan lawyer and journalist. Their whereabouts and legal status remain unclear.
