A combined photo showing young Tanzanian men who have recently gone scene. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
On August 30, 2024, the world solemnly observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, a day that casts a glaring spotlight on a haunting reality—people vanishing without a trace, swallowed by the shadows of violence and political oppression. For governments, this day is a moment of reckoning, a test of their commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
It serves as a stark reminder of their responsibility to protect all citizens and to hold accountable those who perpetrate these heinous acts. Yet, for the abductors and their enablers, the day carries a different weight. It is a time of anxiety and fear, as the global community unites to denounce their crimes, demanding justice for the disappeared.
This day exposes the brutality behind their actions, amplifying the voices of victims' families who refuse to let their loved ones be forgotten. It is a day that challenges the darkness, shining a light on the truth that these crimes, though often shrouded in secrecy, will not go unanswered.
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is not just a commemoration but a powerful call to action, urging the world to stand against the terror inflicted by enforced disappearances and to work tirelessly until every missing person is accounted for.
Enforced disappearances strike fear not only in the immediate families of the victims but also in entire communities, spreading a pervasive sense of insecurity. The victims, abducted or detained without their whereabouts disclosed, are often tortured, held in inhumane conditions, and deprived of all their rights.
The anguish of their families is profound, as they are left in a state of perpetual uncertainty, not knowing if their loved ones are dead or alive, or where they might be held.
Tanzania is not immune to this scourge. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has been vocal in urging the government to take definitive action against enforced disappearances.
On this day, LHRC's Executive Director Anna Henga called on the Tanzanian government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, a UN treaty adopted in 1994 that seeks to prevent such abuses and ensure accountability.
"Ratifying this convention would not only enhance individual protections but also demonstrate Tanzania’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards," Henga emphasized.
The convention, yet to be ratified by Tanzania, provides a legal framework for addressing enforced disappearances. Article 1 of the convention explicitly prohibits arbitrary detention and abduction, while Article 2 defines these acts as violations of human rights. The convention seeks to ensure accountability and transparency, offering a glimmer of hope for victims and their families.
The situation in Tanzania is dire, with reports of abductions and disappearances surfacing regularly. Just days before this International Day of Recognition, on August 28, 2024, the High Court of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Division, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant authorities to investigate the whereabouts of three missing leaders of the Chadema youth wing (Bavicha).
The missing individuals, who disappeared on August 18, 2024, include Deusdedith Soka, the Bavicha chairman in Temeke District, his secretary Jacob Mlay, and motorcycle rider Frank Mbise.
The court's directive came amid growing concerns about targeted political violence in Dar es Salaam, where over 60 percent of reported cases of enforced disappearances have occurred. Despite these concerns, a recent court ruling dismissed cases linking the police to abductions and disappearances, citing a lack of evidence. This dismissal has done little to assuage fears, as many believe that these crimes are orchestrated by state agents as a means of silencing political opponents.
Freeman Mbowe, Chadema's chairman, expressed deep concern over these developments, highlighting the increasing frequency of such incidents in the region. "We are witnessing a disturbing trend where political activists are being targeted and abducted. This is not just an attack on individuals, but an attack on our democracy and the rule of law," Mbowe stated.
The anguish faced by the families of the disappeared is immeasurable. They oscillate between hope and despair, often for years, waiting for news that may never come. This emotional turmoil is compounded by material hardships, as the disappeared are often the primary breadwinners of their families. The uncertainty surrounding their fate makes it difficult for families to adapt to their new reality, leading to economic and social marginalization.
The situation is particularly grim for women and children. Women, who often lead the fight to locate their disappeared loved ones, face intimidation, persecution, and even violence. When they are victims of enforced disappearance, they become especially vulnerable to sexual violence and other forms of abuse.
Children, too, are profoundly affected, losing their right to personal identity and the protection of their families. The disappearance of a parent is a severe violation of a child's human rights, leaving lasting psychological scars.
The international community has long recognized the gravity of enforced disappearances. The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 65/209 of December 21, 2010, expressed deep concern over the increase in enforced disappearances globally, including the harassment and intimidation of witnesses and relatives of the disappeared.
The resolution also welcomed the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and declared August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, beginning in 2011.
This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action to address this grave violation of human rights. It calls on governments worldwide, including Tanzania, to take concrete steps to prevent enforced disappearances, ensure justice for victims, and provide support to their families. The LHRC's call for the ratification of the International Convention is a crucial step in this direction.
In neighboring Kenya, the situation is equally alarming. Hussein Khalid, Director of Vocal Africa, noted that the recent Gen Z mass demonstrations against the Finance Bill have led to a spike in disappearances, with many bodies found decomposed in the bush.
Khalid accused the police of orchestrating these heinous crimes and lamented that President William Ruto had failed to fulfill his campaign promise to eradicate such abuses. "What we are seeing in Kenya today is a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law," Khalid said.
The parallels between Tanzania and Kenya are striking, with both countries grappling with the grim reality of enforced disappearances. In Tanzania, the police have yet to locate the missing Bavicha leaders, despite widespread public outcry. Soka, one of the missing activists, had expressed fears for his safety just days before his disappearance.
"They even want to take our lives too," Soka said in what would be his final media interview. "We are saying, you’ve taken everything, so please don’t abduct us or hurt us, just let us live our lives. They are taking us one by one like hawks snatching chickens."
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances serves as a stark reminder that the fight against this heinous violation of human rights is far from over. The harrowing cases of Soka, Mlay, and Mbise, alongside the unending grief of their families, highlight the desperate need for decisive action. Governments must face accountability, and the international community must intensify its efforts to secure justice and uphold human rights for all.