Onesmo Olengurumwa interrogated
On 20 September 2017, human rights defender Onesmo Olengurumwa was subjected to a second round of interrogations in what appears to be continued administrative harassment of the human rights defender by immigration officials purporting to call his Tanzanian citizenship into question.
Onesmo Olengurumwa is the National Coordinator for Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC). THRDC strives to maximise the protection, respect and recognition of human rights defenders in Tanzania through advocacy, capacity building, protection and connecting defenders with relevant regional and international bodies.
On 20 September 2017, human rights defender Onesmo Olengurumwa was subjected to a second round of interrogations in what appears to be continued administrative harassment of the human rights defender by immigration officials purporting to call his Tanzanian citizenship into question.
Download the Urgent Appeal (PDF)
On 20 September 2017, immigration officials came to the offices of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and interrogated Onesmo Olengurumwa. During the interrogation, they required the human rights defender to fill out a ten page form on his history and immigration status. On 24 July 2017, immigration officials visited the office of the THRDC and informed the human rights defender that they had received instructions to interrogate him. The immigration officials also took copies of his passport.
Front Line Defenders expresses concern about the administrative harassment against Onesmo Olengurumwa as it believes it is part of a larger pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in the Tanzania.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Tanzania to:
1. Cease all further harassment of Onesmo Olengurumwa as Front Line Defenders believes that it is solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Tanzania are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including administrative harassment.
