Tanzania Accused of Abuses Against Maasai

Sammy Awami

A new report accuses the Tanzanian government and some foreign safari companies of a series of human rights abuses against the indigenous Maasai people.

The report, released today by independent policy think tank, the Oakland Institute, details cases of arrests, evictions and beatings of Maasai people.

The Maasai people allege the government is using conservation laws to evict them from their traditional pastures in favour of high earning tourism - a claim the government denies.

Tourism has been Tanzania's largest foreign exchange earner for almost a decade, contributing an average of $2bn (£1.5bn) annually.