TZ ELECTION UNREST REPORTS: Amnesty, HRW admit flaws
GENEVA: INTERNATIONAL human rights organisations -Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch – have acknowledged that their reports on alleged human rights violations before, during and after Tanzania’s General Elections held on 29 October 2025 did not fully capture all relevant perspectives.
In particular, the reports did not sufficiently reflect the views and responses of the government of Tanzania and its institutions. This emerged during a side event held on Thursday on the margins of the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
The session was organised by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and moderated by Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ms Lucy McKernan.
Participants in the event included representatives from United Nations Member States, the European Union, international non-governmental organisations and various human rights experts, who engaged in discussions on the events surrounding Tanzania’s 2025 General Election.
During the discussions, it was indicated that the reports presented on Tanzania relied largely on interviews, documents and other materials reflecting one side of the events under review.
In addition, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Ms Gina Romero, explained that various methods were used in compiling the findings, including interviews and reviews of existing reports before the conclusions were made public.
Presentations during the session were delivered by Mr Oryem Nyeko, Senior Researcher for Africa at Human Rights Watch, Mr Tito Magoti, lawyer at the Centre for Strategic Litigation, and Mr Sikula Oniala, researcher at Amnesty International.
The speakers outlined issues they had identified regarding the October 2025 unrest in Tanzania, largely reflecting the orientation of the earlier reports issued by the two organisations.
However, in the discussion that followed, it became evident that the organisations had not conducted substantive engagement with the respondents to the allegations, Tanzanian government and its institutions, before finalising their reports.
It was explained that although letters requesting interviews had been sent, responses were delayed, and the reports were therefore prepared and released without fully incorporating the government’s perspective, which is a key party to the matter.
Several participants at the event, including representatives from Zimbabwe and Germany, raised questions regarding the reliance on reports that had not reflected the views of all relevant parties.
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In their interventions, they emphasised the importance of awaiting the findings of the Commission of Inquiry established by the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu which, according to its terms of reference, is engaging a wide range of stakeholders and has created multiple channels for receiving evidence, views and recommendations, including through online platforms.
Participants also discussed the broader context of the incidents, including the risks of property destruction and loss of life during the unrest.
It was noted that in such circumstances governments have a responsibility to use lawful measures to restore order and protect citizens and property.
At the same time, contributors stressed that accountability should apply to all parties, including individuals inside and outside Tanzania who used inflammatory language before and after the elections in ways that could have contributed to unrest and disruption of peace.
In addition, the representative from Germany cautioned that actors promoting inflammatory rhetoric in East African countries, including Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, should be closely monitored ahead of Kenya’s General Election scheduled for August 2027, so as to prevent a recurrence of situations that could threaten peace and stability in the region.
The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that investigative reports are informed by perspectives from all relevant parties in order to strengthen balance, factual accuracy and credibility in information presented to the international community.
Tanzania continues to emphasise the importance of due process, balanced inquiry and accountability grounded in evidence, with the broader objective of safeguarding peace, stability and the rule of law.
Tofauti kati ya **sheria ya ujenzi wa nyumba Marekani na Tanzania** ni kubwa kwa sababu ya tofauti za mfumo wa sheria, teknolojia, na usimamizi wa serikali. Hapa chini kuna **tofauti kuu muhimu**:
—
## 1. Mfumo wa Building Code (Kanuni za Ujenzi)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Marekani ina **building codes kali na za kitaifa** ambazo hutumika karibu kila jimbo, mara nyingi zikitokana na kanuni za International Code Council kama **International Building Code (IBC)**.
* Kila jengo lazima lifuate viwango vya usalama, moto, umeme, na miundo.
* Serikali za majimbo na miji hufanya ukaguzi mara nyingi wakati wa ujenzi. ([Wikipedia][1])
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Tanzania **haina building code ya kitaifa iliyotekelezwa kikamilifu**. ([ICC][2])
* Mara nyingi kanuni hutegemea halmashauri na miongozo ya kitaalamu.
* Watu wengi vijijini au maeneo yasiyopangwa hujenga bila kufuata kanuni rasmi.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina mfumo mkali wa building code; Tanzania bado ina mfumo unaoendelea kuboreshwa.
—
## 2. Kibali cha Ujenzi (Building Permit)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Lazima upate **building permit** kutoka serikali ya jiji au county.
* Ramani hukaguliwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuanza ujenzi.
* Ukikiuka sheria, kazi inaweza kusimamishwa au kulipishwa faini kubwa.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kibali cha ujenzi hutolewa na halmashauri chini ya Wizara ya Ardhi.
* Ili kupata kibali lazima uwasilishe:
* hati ya ardhi
* ramani ya jengo
* ada za kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani mchakato huwa na ukaguzi mkali sana; Tanzania mara nyingi utekelezaji wake ni dhaifu.
—
## 3. Ukaguzi wa Ujenzi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Ukaguzi hufanywa katika hatua nyingi:
* msingi
* mfumo wa umeme
* mabomba
* mwisho wa ujenzi
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Ukaguzi upo lakini **hauko mkali sana katika maeneo mengi**, na wakati mwingine ujenzi unaanza kabla ya kupata kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara; Tanzania ukaguzi mara nyingine haukamiliki kikamilifu.
—
## 4. Matumizi ya Wakandarasi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Wakandarasi lazima wawe na **leseni rasmi ya serikali**.
* Wanawajibika kisheria ikiwa jengo lina matatizo.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Wakandarasi wanapaswa kusajiliwa chini ya sheria kama **Contractors Registration Act**. ([Tanzania Laws][4])
* Lakini watu wengi bado hutumia mafundi wasiosajiliwa.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani matumizi ya wakandarasi wenye leseni ni lazima zaidi.
—
## 5. Usalama wa Majengo
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Sheria zinajumuisha:
* usalama wa moto
* upatikanaji wa walemavu
* viwango vya tetemeko la ardhi au upepo
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kanuni za usalama zipo lakini mara nyingi **hazitekelezwi kikamilifu au hazijasanifishwa kitaifa**. ([MDPI][5])
—
✅ **Hitimisho:**
| Kipengele | Marekani | Tanzania |
| ——————— | ——————— | ————————- |
| Building code | Kali na ya kitaifa | Haijatekelezwa kikamilifu |
| Ukaguzi | Mkali sana | Wakati mwingine dhaifu |
| Wakandarasi | Lazima wawe na leseni | Wengine hawajasajiliwa |
| Utekelezaji wa sheria | Mkali | Bado unaimarishwa |
—
Tofauti kati ya **sheria ya ujenzi wa nyumba Marekani na Tanzania** ni kubwa kwa sababu ya tofauti za mfumo wa sheria, teknolojia, na usimamizi wa serikali. Hapa chini kuna **tofauti kuu muhimu**:
—
## 1. Mfumo wa Building Code (Kanuni za Ujenzi)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Marekani ina **building codes kali na za kitaifa** ambazo hutumika karibu kila jimbo, mara nyingi zikitokana na kanuni za International Code Council kama **International Building Code (IBC)**.
* Kila jengo lazima lifuate viwango vya usalama, moto, umeme, na miundo.
* Serikali za majimbo na miji hufanya ukaguzi mara nyingi wakati wa ujenzi. ([Wikipedia][1])
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Tanzania **haina building code ya kitaifa iliyotekelezwa kikamilifu**. ([ICC][2])
* Mara nyingi kanuni hutegemea halmashauri na miongozo ya kitaalamu.
* Watu wengi vijijini au maeneo yasiyopangwa hujenga bila kufuata kanuni rasmi.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina mfumo mkali wa building code; Tanzania bado ina mfumo unaoendelea kuboreshwa.
—
## 2. Kibali cha Ujenzi (Building Permit)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Lazima upate **building permit** kutoka serikali ya jiji au county.
* Ramani hukaguliwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuanza ujenzi.
* Ukikiuka sheria, kazi inaweza kusimamishwa au kulipishwa faini kubwa.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kibali cha ujenzi hutolewa na halmashauri chini ya Wizara ya Ardhi.
* Ili kupata kibali lazima uwasilishe:
* hati ya ardhi
* ramani ya jengo
* ada za kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani mchakato huwa na ukaguzi mkali sana; Tanzania mara nyingi utekelezaji wake ni dhaifu.
—
## 3. Ukaguzi wa Ujenzi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Ukaguzi hufanywa katika hatua nyingi:
* msingi
* mfumo wa umeme
* mabomba
* mwisho wa ujenzi
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Ukaguzi upo lakini **hauko mkali sana katika maeneo mengi**, na wakati mwingine ujenzi unaanza kabla ya kupata kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara; Tanzania ukaguzi mara nyingine haukamiliki kikamilifu.
—
## 4. Matumizi ya Wakandarasi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Wakandarasi lazima wawe na **leseni rasmi ya serikali**.
* Wanawajibika kisheria ikiwa jengo lina matatizo.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Wakandarasi wanapaswa kusajiliwa chini ya sheria kama **Contractors Registration Act**. ([Tanzania Laws][4])
* Lakini watu wengi bado hutumia mafundi wasiosajiliwa.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani matumizi ya wakandarasi wenye leseni ni lazima zaidi.
—
## 5. Usalama wa Majengo
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Sheria zinajumuisha:
* usalama wa moto
* upatikanaji wa walemavu
* viwango vya tetemeko la ardhi au upepo
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kanuni za usalama zipo lakini mara nyingi **hazitekelezwi kikamilifu au hazijasanifishwa kitaifa**. ([MDPI][5])
—
✅ **Hitimisho:**
| Kipengele | Marekani | Tanzania |
| ——————— | ——————— | ————————- |
| Building code | Kali na ya kitaifa | Haijatekelezwa kikamilifu |
| Ukaguzi | Mkali sana | Wakati mwingine dhaifu |
| Wakandarasi | Lazima wawe na leseni | Wengine hawajasajiliwa |
| Utekelezaji wa sheria | Mkali | Bado unaimarishwa |
—
.
Tofauti kati ya **sheria ya ujenzi wa nyumba Marekani na Tanzania** ni kubwa kwa sababu ya tofauti za mfumo wa sheria, teknolojia, na usimamizi wa serikali. Hapa chini kuna **tofauti kuu muhimu**:
—
## 1. Mfumo wa Building Code (Kanuni za Ujenzi)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Marekani ina **building codes kali na za kitaifa** ambazo hutumika karibu kila jimbo, mara nyingi zikitokana na kanuni za International Code Council kama **International Building Code (IBC)**.
* Kila jengo lazima lifuate viwango vya usalama, moto, umeme, na miundo.
* Serikali za majimbo na miji hufanya ukaguzi mara nyingi wakati wa ujenzi. ([Wikipedia][1])
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Tanzania **haina building code ya kitaifa iliyotekelezwa kikamilifu**. ([ICC][2])
* Mara nyingi kanuni hutegemea halmashauri na miongozo ya kitaalamu.
* Watu wengi vijijini au maeneo yasiyopangwa hujenga bila kufuata kanuni rasmi.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina mfumo mkali wa building code; Tanzania bado ina mfumo unaoendelea kuboreshwa.
—
## 2. Kibali cha Ujenzi (Building Permit)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Lazima upate **building permit** kutoka serikali ya jiji au county.
* Ramani hukaguliwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuanza ujenzi.
* Ukikiuka sheria, kazi inaweza kusimamishwa au kulipishwa faini kubwa.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kibali cha ujenzi hutolewa na halmashauri chini ya Wizara ya Ardhi.
* Ili kupata kibali lazima uwasilishe:
* hati ya ardhi
* ramani ya jengo
* ada za kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani mchakato huwa na ukaguzi mkali sana; Tanzania mara nyingi utekelezaji wake ni dhaifu.
—
## 3. Ukaguzi wa Ujenzi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Ukaguzi hufanywa katika hatua nyingi:
* msingi
* mfumo wa umeme
* mabomba
* mwisho wa ujenzi
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Ukaguzi upo lakini **hauko mkali sana katika maeneo mengi**, na wakati mwingine ujenzi unaanza kabla ya kupata kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara; Tanzania ukaguzi mara nyingine haukamiliki kikamilifu.
—
## 4. Matumizi ya Wakandarasi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Wakandarasi lazima wawe na **leseni rasmi ya serikali**.
* Wanawajibika kisheria ikiwa jengo lina matatizo.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Wakandarasi wanapaswa kusajiliwa chini ya sheria kama **Contractors Registration Act**. ([Tanzania Laws][4])
* Lakini watu wengi bado hutumia mafundi wasiosajiliwa.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani matumizi ya wakandarasi wenye leseni ni lazima zaidi.
—
## 5. Usalama wa Majengo
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Sheria zinajumuisha:
* usalama wa moto
* upatikanaji wa walemavu
* viwango vya tetemeko la ardhi au upepo
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kanuni za usalama zipo lakini mara nyingi **hazitekelezwi kikamilifu au hazijasanifishwa kitaifa**. ([MDPI][5])
—
✅ **Hitimisho:**
| Kipengele | Marekani | Tanzania |
| ——————— | ——————— | ————————- |
| Building code | Kali na ya kitaifa | Haijatekelezwa kikamilifu |
| Ukaguzi | Mkali sana | Wakati mwingine dhaifu |
| Wakandarasi | Lazima wawe na leseni | Wengine hawajasajiliwa |
| Utekelezaji wa sheria | Mkali | Bado unaimarishwa |
—
..
Tofauti kati ya **sheria ya ujenzi wa nyumba Marekani na Tanzania** ni kubwa kwa sababu ya tofauti za mfumo wa sheria, teknolojia, na usimamizi wa serikali. Hapa chini kuna **tofauti kuu muhimu**:
—
## 1. Mfumo wa Building Code (Kanuni za Ujenzi)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Marekani ina **building codes kali na za kitaifa** ambazo hutumika karibu kila jimbo, mara nyingi zikitokana na kanuni za International Code Council kama **International Building Code (IBC)**.
* Kila jengo lazima lifuate viwango vya usalama, moto, umeme, na miundo.
* Serikali za majimbo na miji hufanya ukaguzi mara nyingi wakati wa ujenzi. ([Wikipedia][1])
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Tanzania **haina building code ya kitaifa iliyotekelezwa kikamilifu**. ([ICC][2])
* Mara nyingi kanuni hutegemea halmashauri na miongozo ya kitaalamu.
* Watu wengi vijijini au maeneo yasiyopangwa hujenga bila kufuata kanuni rasmi.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina mfumo mkali wa building code; Tanzania bado ina mfumo unaoendelea kuboreshwa.
—
## 2. Kibali cha Ujenzi (Building Permit)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Lazima upate **building permit** kutoka serikali ya jiji au county.
* Ramani hukaguliwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuanza ujenzi.
* Ukikiuka sheria, kazi inaweza kusimamishwa au kulipishwa faini kubwa.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kibali cha ujenzi hutolewa na halmashauri chini ya Wizara ya Ardhi.
* Ili kupata kibali lazima uwasilishe:
* hati ya ardhi
* ramani ya jengo
* ada za kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani mchakato huwa na ukaguzi mkali sana; Tanzania mara nyingi utekelezaji wake ni dhaifu.
—
## 3. Ukaguzi wa Ujenzi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Ukaguzi hufanywa katika hatua nyingi:
* msingi
* mfumo wa umeme
* mabomba
* mwisho wa ujenzi
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Ukaguzi upo lakini **hauko mkali sana katika maeneo mengi**, na wakati mwingine ujenzi unaanza kabla ya kupata kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara; Tanzania ukaguzi mara nyingine haukamiliki kikamilifu.
—
## 4. Matumizi ya Wakandarasi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Wakandarasi lazima wawe na **leseni rasmi ya serikali**.
* Wanawajibika kisheria ikiwa jengo lina matatizo.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Wakandarasi wanapaswa kusajiliwa chini ya sheria kama **Contractors Registration Act**. ([Tanzania Laws][4])
* Lakini watu wengi bado hutumia mafundi wasiosajiliwa.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani matumizi ya wakandarasi wenye leseni ni lazima zaidi.
—
## 5. Usalama wa Majengo
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Sheria zinajumuisha:
* usalama wa moto
* upatikanaji wa walemavu
* viwango vya tetemeko la ardhi au upepo
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kanuni za usalama zipo lakini mara nyingi **hazitekelezwi kikamilifu au hazijasanifishwa kitaifa**. ([MDPI][5])
—
✅ **Hitimisho:**
| Kipengele | Marekani | Tanzania |
| ——————— | ——————— | ————————- |
| Building code | Kali na ya kitaifa | Haijatekelezwa kikamilifu |
| Ukaguzi | Mkali sana | Wakati mwingine dhaifu |
| Wakandarasi | Lazima wawe na leseni | Wengine hawajasajiliwa |
| Utekelezaji wa sheria | Mkali | Bado unaimarishwa |
—
…
Tofauti kati ya **sheria ya ujenzi wa nyumba Marekani na Tanzania** ni kubwa kwa sababu ya tofauti za mfumo wa sheria, teknolojia, na usimamizi wa serikali. Hapa chini kuna **tofauti kuu muhimu**:
—
## 1. Mfumo wa Building Code (Kanuni za Ujenzi)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Marekani ina **building codes kali na za kitaifa** ambazo hutumika karibu kila jimbo, mara nyingi zikitokana na kanuni za International Code Council kama **International Building Code (IBC)**.
* Kila jengo lazima lifuate viwango vya usalama, moto, umeme, na miundo.
* Serikali za majimbo na miji hufanya ukaguzi mara nyingi wakati wa ujenzi. ([Wikipedia][1])
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Tanzania **haina building code ya kitaifa iliyotekelezwa kikamilifu**. ([ICC][2])
* Mara nyingi kanuni hutegemea halmashauri na miongozo ya kitaalamu.
* Watu wengi vijijini au maeneo yasiyopangwa hujenga bila kufuata kanuni rasmi.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina mfumo mkali wa building code; Tanzania bado ina mfumo unaoendelea kuboreshwa.
—
## 2. Kibali cha Ujenzi (Building Permit)
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Lazima upate **building permit** kutoka serikali ya jiji au county.
* Ramani hukaguliwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuanza ujenzi.
* Ukikiuka sheria, kazi inaweza kusimamishwa au kulipishwa faini kubwa.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kibali cha ujenzi hutolewa na halmashauri chini ya Wizara ya Ardhi.
* Ili kupata kibali lazima uwasilishe:
* hati ya ardhi
* ramani ya jengo
* ada za kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani mchakato huwa na ukaguzi mkali sana; Tanzania mara nyingi utekelezaji wake ni dhaifu.
—
## 3. Ukaguzi wa Ujenzi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Ukaguzi hufanywa katika hatua nyingi:
* msingi
* mfumo wa umeme
* mabomba
* mwisho wa ujenzi
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Ukaguzi upo lakini **hauko mkali sana katika maeneo mengi**, na wakati mwingine ujenzi unaanza kabla ya kupata kibali. ([Theseus][3])
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani ina ukaguzi wa mara kwa mara; Tanzania ukaguzi mara nyingine haukamiliki kikamilifu.
—
## 4. Matumizi ya Wakandarasi
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
* Wakandarasi lazima wawe na **leseni rasmi ya serikali**.
* Wanawajibika kisheria ikiwa jengo lina matatizo.
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Wakandarasi wanapaswa kusajiliwa chini ya sheria kama **Contractors Registration Act**. ([Tanzania Laws][4])
* Lakini watu wengi bado hutumia mafundi wasiosajiliwa.
👉 **Tofauti:** Marekani matumizi ya wakandarasi wenye leseni ni lazima zaidi.
—
## 5. Usalama wa Majengo
### 🇺🇸 Marekani
Sheria zinajumuisha:
* usalama wa moto
* upatikanaji wa walemavu
* viwango vya tetemeko la ardhi au upepo
### 🇹🇿 Tanzania
* Kanuni za usalama zipo lakini mara nyingi **hazitekelezwi kikamilifu au hazijasanifishwa kitaifa**. ([MDPI][5])
—
✅ **Hitimisho:**
| Kipengele | Marekani | Tanzania |
| ——————— | ——————— | ————————- |
| Building code | Kali na ya kitaifa | Haijatekelezwa kikamilifu |
| Ukaguzi | Mkali sana | Wakati mwingine dhaifu |
| Wakandarasi | Lazima wawe na leseni | Wengine hawajasajiliwa |
| Utekelezaji wa sheria | Mkali | Bado unaimarishwa |
—
….