International Community Rescues Politician Against Deportation By Kenyan Government

Days after Tanzania’s President Pombe Magufuli’s re election  and swearing in, it has turned tough for opposition leaders and critics to survive in his country.

This comes barely few hours after a Tanzanian opposition politician was arrested by Kenyan authorities, for fleeing to the country without Immigration approvals at the boarder.

Godbless Lema, a politician allied to opposition in Tanzania, had fled out of the country with his family over an alleged political witch-hunt from the government, that could see him under humiliation. He was in a company of his lawyer who reported that Lema, had intentions of looking for Asylum from the government of Kenya.

One of human rights defending non-governmental organization has condemned the act of trying to deport Lema back to Tanzania, calling for immediate protection of his rights.

“We call on the Government of Kenya to URGENTLY process Godbless Lema’s asylum as per its obligations under international law and not deport the opposition politician back to Tanzania,” said the NGO in a tweet.

Further, the NGO’s executive director reported that Lema’s forceful return to Tanzania could amount to human rights violation, and hence Kenya should avoid facilitating it.

“Transferring Godbless Lema back to Tanzania, a country where he risks facing serious human rights violations, would itself amount to a human rights violation. The government of Kenya is obligated to protect and provide sanctuary to Hon Lema and his family, “adds Irungu Houghton, the Amnesty International Director.