Dar es Salaam’s Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda. FILE PHOTO | NMG
The United States said on Friday it banned from visiting the
country a Tanzanian official who
announced a crackdown on homosexuality in Dar es Salaam in 2018.
announced a crackdown on homosexuality in Dar es Salaam in 2018.
The US State Department said
it was taking the action against Paul Makonda, administrative chief of
the Tanzania capital, “due to his involvement in gross violations of
human rights, which include the flagrant denial of the right to life,
liberty, or the security of persons.”
It said Makonda
had “also been implicated in oppression of the political opposition,
crack-downs on freedom of expression and association, and the targeting
of marginalized individuals.”
The move bars Makonda and his immediate family members from visiting the United States.
The
State Department declined say what specific action by Makonda brought
about the designation, but expressed “deep concern about deteriorating
respect for human rights and rule of law in Tanzania.”
Makonda
announced in 2018 that a special committee would seek to identify and
punish homosexuals, prostitutes and online fraudsters in the city.
The US embassy in Tanzania responded at the time by warning US
citizens in Tanzania to be cautious and to review their social media
profiles and Internet footprints.
Tanzanian President
John Magufuli cracked down on homosexuality after winning power in 2015,
and a conviction for having “carnal knowledge of any person against the
order of nature” could lead to a sentence of up to 30 years in jail.
Under
Magufuli, Tanzania has also tightened control of the media and civil
society, shutting some newspapers, arresting opposition leaders and
restricting political rallies.
Magufuli’s government denies restricting media freedom and cracking down on democracy and human rights.
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