The following press release was distributed to media today: WASHINGTON, DC – April 10, 2025 – Amsterdam & Partners LLP strongly condemns the latest arrest of Tindu Lissu, Chairman of the Chadema party, by Tanzanian police. The arrest took place yesterday during a peaceful rally in the Mbinga District. “This is a naked act of political persecution, not law enforcement”, said international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents Mr. Lissu as international counsel. “There were no acts of violence, no grounds for detention and no due process. Mr. Lissu’s arrest is yet another chapter in the methodical destruction of Tanzania’s democratic institutions by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party”. The detention occurred during the Chadema-led “No Reforms, No Election” campaign — a nationwide effort to demand constitutional reform, an independent electoral commission and guarantees of civil liberties in advance of Tanzania’s general elections this year. Police used teargas to disperse the peaceful rally before detaining Mr. Lissu and several other party officials. Amsterdam stated: “This is an authoritarian regime using its monopoly on violence to silence its critics. The harassment, abductions and repeated arrests of opposition leaders like Mr. Lissu are deliberate violations of the Tanzanian Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter.” Mr. Lissu’s history with state repression is well documented. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt involving 16 gunshot wounds, and has since faced continuous political persecution. In just the last eight months, he was arrested multiple times, including during a protest in September 2024 where he was detained for “unlawful assembly” despite adhering to all legal requirements. Tanzania’s constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, association, movement and political participation — all of which are being violated. In recent months, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the US State Department have issued urgent warnings over escalating arrests of Chadema members, enforced disappearances and threats against journalists. Amsterdam & Partners LLP calls on the international community to urgently investigate these grave violations. Amsterdam & Partners LLP is an international law firm based in London and Washington, D.C. More information is available on www.amsterdamandpartners.com and www.robertamsterdam.com. ###