Nearly a week after a local administrator called for a crackdown on gay people living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s biggest city, the government is distancing itself from his remarks.
Paul Makonda, a regional commissioner in Dar es Salaam, asked the public to send him the names of anyone suspected of being gay so a task force could track them down and arrest them. Hundreds of names have been submitted so far, according to Makonda.
In a statement published Sunday in Swahili on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation’s website, the government said Makonda’s call is only his opinion and not reflective of the country’s official stance.
In the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said the government would “continue to respect all international agreements on human rights that have been signed and ratified.”
But it fell short of condemning Makonda’s remarks or addressing whether the arrests, planned to begin Monday, would be halted.
PRESS RELEASE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, wishes to inform the public and the International Community through local and international media on the issue of homosexuality raised by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner.
During the press conference, the Regional Commissioner announced the launch of a campaign against homosexuality within Dar es Salaam. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania wishes to clarify that these are the Honourable Regional Commissioner’s personal views and does not represent the official government position.
Additionally, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania would like to use this opportunity to confirm and emphasise that it will continue to abide by all international treaties on human rights to which the country is a signatory and has ratified.
The United Republic of Tanzania respects and will also continue to respect and uphold all human rights as provided for in the country's constitution.
Issued by:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,
Dodoma, 4th November 2018
Translation courtesy of UNAIDS Country Office – Tanzania