'Deeply concerned': EU and US condemn Tanzania's 'round up' of LGBTIQ+ people

"We are troubled by the continued arrests and harassment of marginalised persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."

Paul Makonda is spearheading the latest round of anti-gay attacks in Tanzania. Source: Getty Images

The European Union and United States government have each come out against the treatment of the LGBTIQ+ community in Tanzania, sparked by the governor of Tanzanian city Dar es Salaam declaring a 'round-up' of gay people late October.

In a statement shared early last week, the European Union (EU) wrote: "The EU regrets the deterioration of the human rights and rule of law situation in Tanzania and will be conducting a broad review of its relations with Tanzania."

Following the EU's lead on Friday, the United States government added that it was "deeply concerned" by the African country's ongoing anti-gay movement, a byproduct of the country's colonial-era laws.

"The United States government is deeply concerned over escalating attacks and legislative actions by the Government of Tanzania that violate civil liberties and human rights, creating an atmosphere of violence, intimidation, and discrimination," a statement read.

The statement continued: "We are troubled by the continued arrests and harassment of marginalised persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and others who seek to exercise their rights to freedom of speech, association, and assembly. The legislation is being used to restrict civil liberties for all.

"The deteriorating state of human rights and rule of law in Tanzania inhibits development, economic prosperity, peace, and security."

The US then called on Tanzanian lawmakers to "decisively" protect the human rights of all Tanzanian citizens.

"We call on Tanzanian authorities to act decisively to safeguard the rights of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, journalists, health workers, political activists, and all people in accordance with the Tanzanian constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the country’s international and regional obligations and commitments," the statement said.

Whether or not international political pressure will make a difference to members of the LGBTIQ+ community facing attacks in Tanzania is yet to be seen.

According to BBC News, Paul Makonda, governor of Dar es Salaam, said that he was unfazed by the prospect of upsetting pro-LGBTIQ+ countries.

"I prefer to anger those countries than to anger God," he said.