THRDC: Tanzania steps up preparations for 4th UPR review

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has entered a critical phase in its preparations for the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the United Nations Human Rights Council,  meets in Geneva, Switzerland, between October and November this year, according to the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC).

THRDC National Coordinator, Advocate Onesmo Olengurumwa, made the remarks today, July 9, 2026, in Dar e Salaam during a preparatory meeting that brought together civil society organizations, representatives of UN member states and development partners to discuss key human rights issues that should be prioritized during Tanzania’s upcoming review.

Olengurumwa said the meeting aimed to ensure that UN member states participating in Tanzania’s review receive accurate and up-to-date information on the country’s human rights situation, enabling them to raise informed questions and make recommendations that address the country’s existing challenges.

Explaining the UPR process, he said it is a United Nations mechanism established in 2006 under which all UN member states periodically assess one another’s performance in protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights obligations. The process allows countries to examine each other’s records, ask questions and issue recommendations aimed at improving human rights protections.

Speaking about Tanzania’s implementation of recommendations from the previous review cycle, Olengurumwa said the country accepted 108 recommendations. However, an assessment shows that more than half of those recommendations have not been adequately implemented, while others have only been partially implemented. Fewer than 10 percent have been fully implemented.

He stressed that the UPR is an important international accountability mechanism because countries are required to report on the progress made in implementing commitments and recommendations accepted during previous review cycles.

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According to Olengurumwa, more than 300 civil society organizations participated in preparing a joint civil society report on the state of human rights in Tanzania, which has already been submitted to the United Nations for consideration during the upcoming review.

He added that civil society participation in preparations for the fourth UPR cycle has increased compared to previous reviews, reflecting stronger stakeholder engagement in human rights issues. He expressed optimism that Tanzania will accept more recommendations during this review than it did in the previous cycle.

The meeting brought together representatives from a wide range of sectors, including organizations working on children’s rights, women’s rights, pastoralist communities, environmental protection, freedom of expression and other human rights advocacy groups.