The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique Human Rights mechanism and an important process for advancing the realisation of human rights nationally, regionally and globally.
It is universal as each of the 193 UN Member States is peer-reviewed on its entire human rights record every four and a half years.
According to Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), during this second cycle, the government will be required to report on the feedback of the recommendations given during the first cycle held in 2011.
Recently, the Media were banned to air “live” the ongoing parliamentary proceedings causing public outcry. The parliament's information, education and communication unit announced that it would be responsible for recording the MPs’ debate and then distribute it to different print and electronic media through a common signal feed.
Different stakeholders expressed their concern over the decision, saying it was against, this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPRD) under the theme; "Access to Information and Fundamental Freedom: This is Your Right,"
The National coordinator for the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, Onesmo Olengurumwa said that Tanzania was reviewed for the first time on the 3rd October, 2011. During this cycle, 48 States made 166 recommendations to Tanzania. The Government accepted 107 recommendations out of 166 received.
Under THRDC coordination, CSOs in Tanzania collectively monitored and documented the implementation of 107 accepted UPR recommendations during the first cycle. The findings by CSOs implementation report indicated that nine percent 9 percent of the recommendations were fully implemented, 62 percent partially implemented, and 29 percent not implemented at all.
According to Olengurumwa, each state under review (SuR), regardless of size or political influence, is subject to the same rules and scrutiny and must respond to each recommendation put forward by reviewing States, as well as report on the implementation of recommendations accepted and its voluntary pledges.
He said that this time around, Tanzania would be given more recommendations by the reviewing states received from CSOs and commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) thematically which include the rights to freedom of expression.
Other areas include women and children rights; social rights; freedom of association and human right defenders; political rights; minority’s rights; pastoralist and economic rights.
These recommendations will be made during the interactive dialogue in the form of questions and or recommendations. The feedback for the recommendations which will be made to the government will be done through midterm reporting or during the next review in 2021.
Together with government delegates and the CHRAGG, four representatives from Civil Society organizations are currently in Geneva attending the review session. The CSOs delegation is comprised of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
Also in the list are under the same sun (UTSS), Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Govermental Organisations (PINGOs) and Chama Cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI).
The delegation has organised a panel discussion (side event) on the same day after the review session in the afternoon. The aim of this event is to present key concerns regarding the human rights situation in Tanzania, to analyse the recommendations received through the UPR and to discuss strategies for implementation at the national level.
Moreover, the whole delegation will have an opportunity to meet the Tanzanian ambassador at the Tanzanian permanent mission to the UN in Geneva tomorrow on 10th May to discuss state-CSOs partnership on plans and strategies for implementation of the recommendations made to Tanzania.
According to Advocate Ben Ishabakaki, although the constitution of Tanzania provides for freedom of speech, several other laws induce self-censorship and limit the ability of the media to function effectively and efficiently.
He said that since media is the mouth piece of the general public and in particular the voiceless and marginalised groups, it was high time, the government to allow radios and televisions to air the parliamentary proceedings as it was during the fourth phase government.
“Tanzanians and relevant civil society organisations should advocate for the amendment of infamous laws which limit or restrict the role of CSOs and media houses such as the Newspaper Act 1976,” he said.
He said that human rights and security are meant to be complementary, to ensure this government works very close with media, human rights defenders, communities, and other stake holders to promote and protect human rights.
Last year, four bills were introduced to Parliament that collectively codified unwarranted and disproportionate restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.
The bills were introduced under a “certificate of urgency”, limiting normally available channels for public consultation.
_0.jpg?itok=QU87XW8D){kind=tracking}
.jpeg?itok=vCj6bCRe)
