LHRC calls for DPP to either drop charges against six members of the same family charged with terrorism or produce them in court.

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), in a joint statement with the Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzania, called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to drop terrorism charges against six members of the Ulatule family or produce them in court.

The Ulatules have been in remand prison since 2016, when they were arrested for terrorism in Mkuranga, Pwani region. One family member, Sheikh Said Mohammed Ulatule, died on March 4, 2023, in Ukonga Prison in an incident that has left many questions.

During a press conference at LHRC’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam on March 15, 2023, the Executive Director, Anna Henga, called for an inquest into the inmate's death, saying authorities’ explanation conflicted with those of people who knew him.

She also called on the DPP to drop the charges against the family members or produce them in court if authorities have enough evidence to convict them.

“We, therefore, call for an inquest to be conducted that will establish the source of Sheikh Said Mohamed Ulatule’s death,” Henga said. “The arrangement should also be extended to all the people who died in the hands of security organs.”

The Secretary of the Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzania, Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, said during the press conference that the Ulatules are just one of many victims of the “flawed” justice system in Tanzania.

“Arresting someone and detaining them for ten years under the excuse of investigating is incomprehensible and unacceptable,” Ponda said.

“It is tantamount to torture. We have to make sure changes happen in our justice system. It cannot go on like this,” he added.