Dar commits to advancing human rights review

MOROGORO: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to strengthen the protection and implementation of human rights in the country.

This was said by Director at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs (Tanzania) Ms Neema Mwanga, who represented the Minister of the docket during the opening of a meeting to review the Civil Society Organizations’ report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) fourth cycle, held in Morogoro.

According to Ms Mwanga, UPR is a mechanism coordinated by the government through the ministry to ensure that United Nations member states remain accountable in promoting and protecting human rights.

She noted that Tanzania has actively participated in the process since its establishment in 2006. Ms Mwanga explained that during the third cycle of the UPR, Tanzania submitted its national report on August 9, 2021, detailing the implementation of 131 human rights recommendations.

During the review discussions in November 2021, 92 UN member states presented a total of 252 recommendations, of which the government accepted 187 for implementation after further assessment.

Ms Mwanga explained that the recommendations covered several areas, including the implementation of the Constitution. Other areas are implementation of national policies and laws, as well as education, health services, environmental protection, anti-corruption efforts, and the protection of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and people with albinism.

“The position to accept and implement 187 recommendations was presented before the Human Rights Council, and during the voting process no country opposed Tanzania’s position,” Mwanga said.

Ms Mwanga added that the country’s commitment to implementing the recommendations was formally endorsed by the Human Rights Council.

ALSO READ: Govt boosts food fortification efforts

Tanzania has now entered the fourth cycle of the review process and is scheduled to submit its next implementation report in July 2026. Meanwhile, Acting National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Ms Halima Sonda, said the network recognises the positive steps being taken by the government in several areas.

Ms Sonda cited improvements in the delivery of health services and ongoing efforts to establish a universal health insurance system.

She also highlighted progress in birth and death registration systems, as well as policy reforms aimed at strengthening gender equality and inclusive education.

“The objective of the UPR process is not merely to assign blame, but to provide an opportunity for constructive dialogue that helps countries strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights through evidence-based and practical recommendations,” she said.

Ms Sonda added that the report also examined measures aimed at protecting women and children, particularly in combating genderbased violence and ensuring effective implementation of national plans to address such challenges.

She noted that these measures include implementing the Court of Appeal’s decision on the legal age of marriage and strengthening legal protection against harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation.

For her part, Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Ms Anna Henga, praised the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs for playing a significant role in facilitating the process.