NGO’s tell Tanzania government to stop threatening them

A group of 18 international rights organisations has told the Tanzanian government to stop threatening local civil society organisations which champion gay rights and the right for teenage mothers to return to school.

Last week, the government threatened to deregister any organisation which continued to campaign for schoolgirls who get pregnant to be allowed to return to school after giving birth.

In the latest criticism of President John Magufuli’s crackdown on dissent, the group has called on the government to let organisations operate without any fear of reprisals.

Signed by organisations including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, the joint statement has expressed solidarity with 25 local organisations which last week jointly supported the re-entry to school for teenage mothers

They have also challenged President Magufuli’s administration to focus more on educating citizens without any form of discrimination.

Last month, Mr Magufuli stated that, as long as he is a president, no pregnant student will be allowed to go back to school.

His statement reiterates the country’s education law which forbids teenage mothers from returning to school.
source:ghanaweb.com