Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has condemned the arrest and detention of Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi at Julius Nyerere International Airport, calling it an unlawful act that violates regional and international human rights standards.

The three were detained on Sunday morning upon arrival in Dar es Salaam.

They had travelled to Tanzania to observe treason proceedings against opposition leader Tundu Lissu, under the invitation of the East Africa Law Society in partnership with the Law Society of Kenya and the Uganda Law Society.

Karua, the People’s Liberation Party leader and former presidential candidate, said immigration officials referred her passport to a supervisor, who then consulted senior authorities before informing her that entry had been denied without explanation.

“The supervisor has now informed us that our entry into Tanzania has been denied, no reasons given,” said Karua on her X page.

Kimani, a Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya, and human rights defender Ngugi were also held under unclear circumstances.

The trio was expected to attend a court session this week concerning Lissu, who faces a treason charge that carries the death penalty.

“Chilling at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam, where the three of us have been detained awaiting deportation,” said Karua in a video shared Sunday, May 18.

“We thought that as citizens of Jumuia we were free, but not yet,” she added.

Karua said their detention reflected fear within President Samia Suluhu’s administration about foreign observers monitoring politically sensitive trials.

“The common thread among us, we are guests of East Africa Law Society and there is fear in this government of our dear Mama Suluhu about people who may be interested in the politically motivated cases against Tundu Lissu,” she noted.

THRDC said Karua had previously attended similar hearings without interference and stressed that observing public trials is part of a fair judicial process under international law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this incident,” said the group in a statement released Sunday, May 18, adding, “Trial observation is lawful and internationally recognised.”

The coalition, in collaboration with the Tanganyika Law Society and the East Africa Law Society, has appointed Advocate Hekima Mwasipu to take legal steps aimed at securing the immediate and unconditional release of the three.

“I am concerned that as a citizen of the East African Community, my access within a member country appears inexplicably restricted,” said Karua.

THRDC said it will continue to monitor the case and issue public updates.