19 January 2023, Banjul, The Gambia - The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Secretariat) wishes to inform the general public that, at the invitation of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) will undertake a Promotion Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania from 23 to 27 January 2023.
This Mission, which is part of the Commission’s promotion mandate, is being undertaken in accordance with Article 45(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter). The objectives of the Mission are as follows:
1.Specifically, to seek information on and assess the situation of human rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities in Tanzania, including particularly to review the situation in Loliondo Area and Ngorongoro Park.
2.More generally:
(i) To promote the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), and other regional human rights legal instruments, through the exchange of views and sharing of experiences with the Government of Tanzania and some of the main stakeholders working in the field of human rights, on strategies to improve the enjoyment of human rights in the country;
(ii) To advocate for the ratification of regional and international human rights legal instruments that have not been ratified by Tanzania;
(iii) To raise awareness of the activities of the Commission, especially among the relevant Government departments and civil society organizations (CSOs);
(iv) To follow up on recommendations given in the Promotion Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania, which was conducted by the Commission in 2008;
(v) To follow up on the implementation of Resolutions and Press Releases which have been issued by the Commission with regard to the United Republic of Tanzania;
(vi) To encourage the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to submit outstanding Periodic Reports and to participate regularly in the activities of the Commission including attending sessions of the Commission; and
(vii) To seek information on thematic human rights issues of particular concern to the Commissioners undertaking the mission including freedom of expression and access to information, and the rights of persons living with or affected HIV/AIDS, in Tanzania.
The Commission’s Delegation will be composed of Honourable Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Soono, Commissioner responsible for human rights in Tanzania (Country Rapporteur), and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa; and Honourable Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana, Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa, and Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV.
During the Mission, the Delegation of the Commission will meet with officials from relevant Government ministries, relevant community leaders, civil society organisations, a cross-section of human rights actors in the country, as well as other individuals and institutions who may enlighten the Commission on the general human rights situation in the United Republic of Tanzania.
At the end of the mission, the Delegation will brief the relevant authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania and a press conference will be held. Thereafter, a Report of the Mission will be tabled before the Commission for consideration and adoption at one of its upcoming sessions.
For further information, please contact:
The Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region.
P.O Box 673 Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/6; 2304361
E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org
