Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions Ireland has taken with regards to the recent surge of violence and internet shutdowns in Tanzania; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66364/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very concerned at the violence and deaths in Tanzania during and following general elections on 28/29 October. There are credible reports that over 1,000 people were killed following a brutal response by the Tanzanian security forces. There have been other troubling developments including disappearances of the bodies of those killed, arbitrary arrests of young people and political opposition figures, and increasing restrictions on the right to convene.

The narrowing of political space in the run-up to the elections, including the arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and reported human rights abuses, are also a matter of serious concern. We note the preliminary statements of the South African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union electoral observer missions which express concern on the conduct of the elections.

We strongly support the statement by the EU High Representative expressing concern at the events surrounding the elections, including the lack of a level playing field in the pre-election period. Along with other EU Member States, Ireland expects swift investigation and resolution of all cases of arrest, including the release of opposition figures arrested before the election. We echo the call of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for investigations into allegations of human rights abuses and for those responsible to he held to account.

Ireland underlines the need for reconciliation and national dialogue as a means to address the division in the country. We note that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has established a Commission of Inquiry into the events following the elections, but we note that genuine reconciliation can only take place by acknowledging responsibility for the actions of the security forces, and that any reconciliation process must include credible opposition voices.

Before the election, Ireland, with our EU partners, met with the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. We expressed deep concern about the shrinking democratic space and human rights abuses.

During the election, officials from our Embassy in Dar es Salaam participated in an observation mission, along with EU and other missions. We are also providing support for human rights monitoring and Human Rights Defender organisations providing legal aid to those affected.

With our EU partners, we will continue to express concern at all levels to the Tanzanian authorities. the Department and our Embassy are closely monitoring developments, including the progress of the Commission of Inquiry, and the Tanzanian Government’s reconciliation process.