STRASBOURG, France – The founder of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, Robert Amsterdam, has urged the European Parliament to intervene in the case of Tundu Lissu, the leader of Tanzania’s opposition Party for Democracy and Development (CHADEMA), who is currently detained on charges of treason and spreading false information.
The letter, addressed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calls for an urgent debate and investigation into the arbitrary detention of Lissu and the broader political repression under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Lissu, a prominent anti-corruption campaigner, was arrested on April 9, 2025, and charged with treason after allegedly attempting to instigate public unrest ahead of the 2025 Tanzanian general elections.
The charges against him stem from the publication of information on social media that authorities claim misled the public.
His arrest has sparked international outrage, with Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists calling for his immediate release and the cessation of politically motivated repression in Tanzania.
Political Persecution in Tanzania
Tundu Lissu has long been a target of state repression in Tanzania.
A former Member of Parliament and outspoken critic of corruption, Lissu was shot 16 times in 2017 in an assassination attempt that remains unsolved.
His resilience and continued political activism have made him a key figure in the push for political reform in Tanzania.
The ongoing legal proceedings against him have raised serious concerns about fair trial guarantees.
His legal team has reported that Lissu has been denied access to full legal counsel, and his trial hearings are being conducted virtually, despite Tanzanian law requiring sensitive cases to be heard in open court.
Additionally, his communications with his lawyers have been monitored by prison officials, further impeding his ability to defend himself effectively.
We welcome the European Parliament’s (@Europarl_EN) decision to debate the case of @TunduALissu. We’ve written an open letter to its President. This is just the start of mounting international pressure on President Hassan and CCM. There’s a simple way out: #FreeTunduLissu.
Appeal for International Action
In his letter to President Metsola, Amsterdam emphasized the urgent need for international action to prevent further deterioration of Tanzania’s political environment.
The letter highlights the fact that Lissu’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on political opposition and civil society in Tanzania, with members of CHADEMA and other opposition parties being detained or harassed by the government.
Amsterdam calls on the European Parliament to issue urgent appeals to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, demanding clarification on the charges against Lissu, as well as guarantees of his right to a fair and public trial.
He also urges the Parliament to hold the Tanzanian government accountable for its actions, warning that without international pressure, the political climate in Tanzania will continue to deteriorate ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The European Parliament’s response to this issue will be crucial in determining the future of democracy and human rights in Tanzania, with millions of citizens watching closely as the situation unfolds.
