Briefing on Business & Human Rights in Tanzania 2019
BRIEFING ON BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS IN TANZANIA 2019 QUARTER 2: APRIL - JUNE In May 2019, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) published its annual Tanzania Human Rights Report (Ref. E1). This report examines how fundamental human rights - such as the right to life, freedom of expression, the right A1 to work or the right to enjoy and benefit from natural resources - were enjoyed, protected, promoted and violated in 2018. While both government and non-government actors are working to improve human rights in the country, many challenges remain. The right to work, for instance, is challenged by inadequate (minimal) wages, difficulties for certain workers to form or participate in associations such as trade unions (Ref. E1, E2) and the absence of employment contracts (Ref. E3). The right to property, which mainly focusses on access to land, is found to have improved. Nevertheless, it remains a key issue of concern for women (Ref. E1, E4). Violations of women rights appear throughout the report, including persistent sexual violence and economic violence such as labour exploitation. The equal presence and participation of women in the country’s economy is, however, considered crucial for Tanzania’s development (Ref. E5). The report also mentions a deterioration of the freedom of expression in the country, as the result of several laws and amendments (Ref. E1). To that, Tanzania is urged nationally and internationally to keep its legislation conform international standards (Ref. E6). Under international, regional and domestic law, States have the primary duty to promote and protect human rights (Ref. E1), including in the area of business and human rights (Ref.
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