The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has condemned the prolonged detention of people accused of bailable offences. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights body said it is monitoring at least 55 individuals arrested between June and July.
“According to information gathered by LHRC, a total of 55 people are currently being held at various police stations around the country for periods ranging from 5 to 25 days without bail and without appearing in court, even though the charges they face are bailable,” the statement, released on July 22, 2026, and signed by Executive Director Anna Henga, reads.
“Of these, 15 are being held in Dar es Salaam (25 days), 13 in Mwanza Region (14 days), 10 in Shinyanga Region (5 days), 7 in Kagera Region (14 days), 6 in Mbeya Region (14 days), 3 in Iringa Region (14 days), and one in Dodoma Region (15 days). Because most of those detained are the primary breadwinners in their households, their continued detention can lead to breaking up families and adding to the number of children on the streets.”
The statement from the rights body comes as Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA has also been calling for the release of its members, many of whom were arrested as police seek to link them to the Saba Saba demonstrations.
“It is important for the public and for the authorities responsible for overseeing criminal justice in this country to understand that, under sections 34, 51 and 52 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. 20, Revised Edition 2023, read together with the Police General Orders, 2021 Edition, the Police Force may hold a suspect for no longer than 24 hours before taking the steps required by law,” the LHRC statement reads.
LHRC called on the Police Force to immediately release everyone it says is being held unlawfully and urged all institutions responsible for overseeing the country’s criminal justice system to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution.
