/ / Urgent Action: OPPOSITION PARTY CHAIR MUST BE RELEASED

OPPOSITION PARTY CHAIR MUST BE RELEASED

UA: 46.25 Tanzania

Only 42 days left to join us and support this case!

On April 9, 2025, Tanzanian police arrested Tundu Lissu, the Chairperson of the country’s main opposition party, Chadema, after holding a political rally in Mbinga town, southwest of Tanzania. He was then transferred to Dar es Salaam, more than 1,000 kilometers away by road during the night. Police used excessive force, including by firing teargas and shooting in the air to disperse his supporters who gathered around during the arrest. Police later charged Tundu Lissu with a non-bailable offense of treason – which carries the death penalty – alongside two other offenses under the country’s cybercrime laws. Tanzanian authorities must stop the repression of opposition leaders and immediately release Tundu Lissu, as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: August 31, 2025

Take action

Step 1

Write your letter

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials

Thank you for signing up!

You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide. A copy of the sample has also been sent to your email address.

Remember to send your letter by August 31, 2025.

Download PDF

Download Word

Sample Letter

Dear President Hassan,

I am writing to express grave concern about the arrest and arbitrary detention of opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, the Chairperson of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania.

Tundu Lissu was arrested on April 9 after holding a political rally in Mbinga town. He was then transferred to Dar es Salaam during the night. Police used excessive force, including by firing teargas and shooting in the air to disperse his supporters who gathered around during the arrest. On April 10, he was charged with a capital and non-bailable offense of treason – which carries the death penalty –alongside two other offenses under the country’s cybercrime laws in relation to his social media posts calling for Tanzanians to boycott the forthcoming elections, citing the possibility of rigging.

I urge your government to immediately and unconditionally release Tundu Lissu as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights. I also urge you to end all arbitrary arrests and the growing crackdown on opposition leaders ahead of the October 2025 general elections. I further urge you to refrain from all attacks on opposition party members, real or perceived government critics, human rights defenders, and journalists.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

Authorities in #Tanzania must end all arbitrary arrests and the growing crackdown on opposition leaders ahead of the October 2025 general elections. #FreeTunduLissu #FreeTunduLissuNow @SuluhuSamia @ccm_tanzania @tanpol

Target on Twitter

Step 2

Send your letter

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

President Samia Suluhu Hassan

President’s Office

Utumishi street, P.O. BOX 670,

Dodoma, Tanzania

Target on X:
@SuluhuSamia
@ccm_tanzania
@tanpol

[email protected]

and

CC: Tanzanian Embassy in the United States, Ambassador Dr. Elsie Sia Kanza

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

1232 22nd Street, NW,

Washington DC 20037

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

Additional Resources and Ways to Act

See our tips for writing effective letters and emails.

Take More Action

Extend your impact with these opportunities to fight for the human rights of more individuals at risk around the world.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS UNJUSTLY HELD

UA : 45.25 Tunisia

In early May 2024, Tunisian authorities arrested refugee rights defenders, Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazek Krimi, from the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR), a rep…

Take Action

FIRST TENNESSEE EXECUTION SINCE 2020 NEARS

UA : 44.25 USA

Oscar Smith is scheduled to be executed in Tennessee on May 22, 2025. He was convicted in 1990 of the 1989 murder of his estranged wife and her two teenaged sons. He…

View Action

RELEASE AHMADI MINORITY MEMBERS

UA : 43.25 Egypt

Between March 8 and 14, 2025, the Egyptian authorities arbitrarily arrested at least four members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, solely for peacefully ex…

Take Action

Receive timely opportunities to speak out for people whose human rights are under attack.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Global Opt-in

This field is hidden when viewing the form

UAN Opt-in

Name*

Email*

Mobile Number

By providing your mobile number, you are signing up to receive calls, recurring messages from Amnesty International USA. Reply STOP to quit. Msg and data rates may apply. Privacy & Terms.

CAPTCHA