The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights has expressed frustration over Tanzania’s repeated postponement of a planned official visit by European lawmakers seeking to assess the state of democracy and human rights in the country.
In a statement issued by the committee chair, Mounir Satouri, said that continued requests by Tanzanian authorities to postpone the delegation’s visit effectively amounted to a refusal to receive the committee.
“We regret the lack of willingness by Tanzanian authorities to engage in dialogue in good faith, especially at a time of deteriorating human rights conditions and repression of democratic opposition,” Satouri said.
The European Parliament delegation had initially planned to visit Tanzania in February this year following approval by the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents on November 20, 2025.
According to the European Union, the mission aimed to evaluate the state of human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Tanzania as part of the committee’s oversight responsibilities.
European lawmakers had also planned to follow up on resolutions passed by the European Parliament concerning Tanzania in November 2025.
The delegation intended to hold meetings with government officials, members of parliament, civil society organizations, and international stakeholders working on human rights issues.
The visit was also expected to include a tour of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha as well as inspections of EU-funded human rights projects in the country.
However, according to EU officials, Tanzanian authorities requested the mission be postponed to allow a national commission of inquiry investigating violence linked to the October 29, 2025, elections to complete its work.
Despite the postponements, the European Parliament committee said it would continue monitoring developments related to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Tanzania.
Satouri warned that the current situation could affect future relations between Tanzania and the European Union, signaling growing concern within European institutions over political freedoms and opposition activities in the East African country.
The latest remarks add to increasing international attention on Tanzania’s political climate following reports of arrests, restrictions on opposition activities, and allegations of election-related violence in recent months.
