Human rights defender Mr Masesa Bandoma is facing fabricated charges of insulting a police officer and disorderly behaviour, and will appear in court on 3 October 2011. Now on bail, he was arbitrarily detained and ill-treated while in police custody at the Mwanza police station from 20 to 22 September. His arrest and trial follow his intervention in a case of a child domestic worker involving a policeman. Masesa Bandoma is a coordinator with the women's rights organisation *Kivulini*, based in Mwanza in Northern Tanzania. Masesa Bandoma works specifically with cases concerning the rights of children employed as domestic workers.

On 19 September 2011, Kivulini was informed of the case of Biela Salvatory, a child worker from Bukoba Kagera region who was detained and placed on remand on 13 September at the request of her former employer whose husband is a police officer. Masesa Bandoma went to the Mwanza police station to enquire about the case. The District Police Commander (DPC) reportedly refused to disclose any information pertaining to the case. Masesa Bandoma was encouraged by the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division (OC-CID) to leave the police station and discontinue pursuing the case.

Following a conversation with the Regional Police Commander (RPC)on the same day, Masesa Bandoma returned to the police station. Despite the intervention of the RPC, the OC-CID refused to hand Biela Salvatory to Masesa Bandoma and instead warned him that he'd better drop the case. Failing to resolve the situation, Masesa Bandoma left the police station just before midnight.

The next morning, 20 September, Masesa Bandoma returned the Mwanza police station. On this occasion he managed to speak with Biela Salvatory who was unaware of the reasons why she was in police custody.
An altercation with the DPC ensued. It is reported that while he was attempting to call the RPC, Masesa Bandoma's mobile phone was confiscated. He was then placed on remand for three days and two nights during which time he was not allowed to make any calls to his family and colleagues.

On 22 September 2011 he appeared before the Primary Court which released him on bail and formalised the charges of insulting a police officer and disorderly behaviour. The court is due to deliver a judgement in the case on 3 October.

It is alleged that the arbitrary actions of the Mwanza police may be linked to the fact that a police officer is involved in the case of the child domestic worker Kivulini has intervened on.

Front Line Defenders, Children Unite and Anti-Slavery International are gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Masesa Bandoma, particularly considering that he was reportedly beaten when he was first detained. We believe that Masesa Bandoma has been targeted solely as a result of his legitimate human rights work, in particular his work with child domestic workers. We are also deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Biela Salvatory.

Front Line Defenders, Children Unite and Anti-Slavery International urge the authorities in Tanzania to:

1. Drop all charges against Masesa Bandoma, as it is believed that he    has been accused solely as a result of his legitimate human rights work;
   
   
2. Conduct a full, thorough and impartial investigation into Masesa    Bandoma's arbitrary arrest as well as the allegations that he was    ill-treated while in police custody, with a view to publishing the    findings and bringing those responsible to justice in line with    international legal standards;
   
   
3. Facilitate Biela Salvatory's access to medical care as needed in    light of allegations that while working for her former employer she    was subjected to physical abuse;
   
   
4. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and    psychological integrity and security of Masesa Bandoma and Biela    Salvatory and protect them from any possible retaliation by the    police officers involved in their cases;
   
   
5. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in    Tanzania are able to carry out their legitimate human rights    activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions    including judicial harassment.