Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016
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Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE & ZANZIBAR LEGAL SERVICES CENTRE NOT FOR SALE Tanzania Human Rights Report - 2016 Mainland and Zanzibar - i - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 Part One: Tanzania Mainland - Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) Part Two: Zanzibar - Zanzibar Legal Services Centre (ZLSC) - ii - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 Publishers Legal and Human Rights Centre Justice Lugakingira House, Kijitonyama P. O. Box 75254, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255222773038/48, Fax: +255222773037 Email: [email protected] Website: www.humanrights.or.tz & Zanzibar Legal Services Centre P. O. Box 3360, Zanzibar, Tanzania Tel: +2552422384 Fax: +255242234495 Email: [email protected] Website: www.zlsc.or.tz Partners The Embassy of Sweden The Embassy of Norway Oxfam Rosa Luxemburg UN Women Open Society Initiatives for Eastern Africa Design & Layout Albert Rodrick Maro Munyetti ISBN: 978-9987-740-30-7 © LHRC & ZLSC 2017 - iii - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 Editorial Board - Part One Dr. Helen Kijo-Bisimba Adv. Imelda Urio Ms. Felista Mauya Adv. Anna Henga Researchers/Writers Paul Mikongoti Fundikila Wazambi - iv - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 About LHRC The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) is a private, autonomous, voluntary non- Governmental, non-partisan and non-profit sharing organization envisioning a just and equitable society. It has a mission of empowering the people of Tanzania, so as to promote, reinforce and safeguard human rights and good governance in the country. The broad objective is to create legal and human rights awareness among the public and in particular the underprivileged section of the society through legal and civic education, advocacy linked with legal aid provision, research and human rights monitoring. The LHRC was established in 1995 out of experiences and lessons generated from The Tanzania Legal Education Trust (TANLET) and the Legal Aid Committee of the Faculty of Law of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). The founders of LHRC were lawyers who had participated in the legal Aid Committee of the Faculty of Law of the University of Dar-es-Salaam and its legal Aid camps. The LHRC’s operations mainly focus on Tanzania Mainland, with specific interventions in Zanzibar. LHRC is a member of different national, regional, and international NGO networks and human rights bodies. It has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Vision The LHRC envisages a just and equitable society. This is a society in which the three arms of the State as well as non-state actors practice accountability, transparency and there is rule of law; and where there is public awareness, respect and engagement for human rights and good governance; where justice and respect for human dignity are reality. Mission The LHRC is a non-partisan, non-profit sharing, non-Governmental organization striving to empower the public, promote, reinforce and safeguard human rights and good governance in Tanzania through legal and civic education and information; sound legal research and advice; monitoring and follow-ups of human rights violations; and advocacy for reforms of policies, laws and practices in conformity with international human rights standards. LHRC’s Values LHRC’s core values for its staff, board, and partners are: Integrity; Equality; Transparency; Accountability; Professionalism; and Voluntarism and Volunteerism. It is our sincere hope that the readers of this report will be a change agent towards attaining just and equitable society. Prof. Geoffrey Mmari Chairperson LHRC Board - v - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 Acknowledgement In preparing the Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016, LHRC received cooperation from the Judiciary, the Legislature and the Executive arms of the State. Various reports from different government departments and research findings have greatly contributed to the finalization of this report. Hansards and judicial decisions form the basis of arguments and observations made by the LHRC. The information was gathered through official correspondences with the relevant authorities, while other information was obtained online through various websites. Therefore, LHRC acknowledges the continued collaboration with state actors to ensure that the report is released on a timely basis. Contribution of CSOs, CBOs, FBOs, and academic institutions was also immense. The report also highlights comparative statistical information obtained from various international reports and briefs. LHRC acknowledges the support of the media, both print and electronic, in preparation and dissemination of the report findings. Special recognition is extended to the contribution of the electronic media such as websites and blogs (social media). We also acknowledge the contribution made by the Civil and Political Rights Tracking project (UHAKIKI). This project is funded with UK aid from the UK government. The inputs obtained through UHAKIKI project were vital in improving this year’s report. LHRC would like to extend its sincere gratitude to LHRC staff for their combined efforts in supporting the preparation of this report. LHRC is thankful to the researchers and writers of this report, Mr. Paul Mikongoti and Mr. Fundikila Wazambi. Special gratitude is also extended to LHRC driver, Mr. Abuu Makumuli, for his assistance in preparation of this report. LHRC further acknowledges the contribution by human rights monitors and paralegals who provided valuable information through their monthly and quarterly reports. Lastly, but not in order of importance, LHRC is very grateful for the continued financial support from its partners: the Embassy of Sweden, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Accountability in Tanzania (AcT). Dr. Helen Kijo-Bisimba LHRC Executive Director - vi - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 Table of Contents About LHRC................................................................................................................v Acknowledgement......................................................................................................vi Table of Contents.......................................................................................................vii List of Tables.............................................................................................................xvi List of Figures.........................................................................................................xviii List of Abbreviations..................................................................................................xx Executive Summary..................................................................................................xxi CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON TANZANIA.............1 1.1 Political Background......................................................................................1 1.2 Geography......................................................................................................1 1.3 Population......................................................................................................4 1.4 Economic situation........................................................................................5 1.5 Historical Overview: Colonialism to Present................................................6 1.6 Governance System.......................................................................................7 1.6.1 The Executive.........................................................................................8 1.6.2 The Legislature.......................................................................................8 1.6.3 The Judiciary...........................................................................................9 CHAPTER TWO: CIVIL RIGHTS.........................................................................12 2.1 Right to Life.................................................................................................12 2.1.1 Death Penalty........................................................................................13 2.1.2 Mob Violence.......................................................................................16 2.1.3 Extrajudicial Violence and Killings......................................................19 2.1.4 Witchcraft-related Violence and Killings.............................................22 2.1.5 Violence against Persons with Albinism..............................................26 2.1.6 Road Accidents.....................................................................................28 2.2 Freedom of Expression................................................................................30 2.2.1 Media Freedom.....................................................................................31 2.2.2 Freedom of Opinion.............................................................................38 - vii - Tanzania Human Rights Report 2016 2.2.3 Right to Information.............................................................................41 2.2.4 Conclusion and Recommendations......................................................44 2.3 Rights to Equality before the Law and Effective Remedy...........................46 2.3.1 Access to Justice...................................................................................46 2.3.2 Due Process of Law and Presumption of Innocence............................49 2.3.3 Right to Legal Representation..............................................................50 2.3.4 Conclusion and