Tanzanian Courts Uphold Death Penalty

The courts in Tanzania have ruled in favour of keeping the death penalty on the grounds that there is not enough evidence to challenge it. 

The ruling follows a challenge bought by civil society and human rights activists, arguing that it violates the right to life and as such is unconstitutional.

The death penalty is used in cases of murder and treason, with it being mandatory in cases of murder.

At the end of 2017 the number of people on death row in Tanzania stood at 496. However, no one has been executed since 1994. 

President John Magufuli has previously stated that he cannot asset to an execution of the death penalty, describing it as a difficult decision.