Group accuses Tanzania of rights abuses

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Tanzanian authorities of gravely abusing at least 18 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers since late last year.

In a new report, HRW says Tanzanian police and intelligence services forcibly disappeared, tortured and arbitrarily detained at least 11 Burundians for up to several weeks.

The report says Tanzanian authorities forcibly returned eight of them to Burundi where they have been detained without charge, while three were released in Tanzania.

The HRW hints that seven other refugees and asylum seekers have been arrested since January this year.

The HRW says it has not received any response from Tanzanian authorities after sending letters seeking answers about investigations on the cases.