TANZANIA: Independent Commission answer to violence against human rights

BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA.

Human rights activists have warned the government over the alarming increases of violence against humanity in the country, saying formation of an autonomous Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG) to tackle the menace is necessary.

Speaking during human rights stakeholders’ conference in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, activists said the country has recorded a wide range of violence against humanity but the commission has turned deaf by not   taking   precise interventions.

Violence against human rights has escalated far more from the commonly known gender violence to issue such as mob injustices, people getting victimised, tortured and mostly killed.

“What does article 14 of our constitution stands for,” Geoffrey Chambua, legal officer at the Tanzania Network for Legal Aid Providers (TANLAP) questioned while facilitating a session during the conference, referring to the ‘right to life’ entitled to human beings as stated in the constitution.

The conference which was organised by TANLAP drew participants from civil societies, high rank police officers, law reform representatives, senior magistrates and members from the CHRGG. Among other things, the conference expected to identify key human rights issue and plan entry points for remedies and draw action points for intervention.

According to participants, CHRGG is performing below expectations due to incessant political interferences from the government. They said it is high time that the government abides with an independent human rights commission which can address any violence against fundamental rights in the country without fear or favour.

According to stakeholders, the commission has been taking actions either under fear or in favour of politicians.

In the conference, it was agreed that, even if a national plan to address human rights issues will be in place, it will require an independent commission and political will from the government to ensure political and civil rights, social and economic rights are promoted and protected at all levels in the country.

Magdalena Danda, CHRGG Human Rights Officer, acknowledging that ignorance and budget deficit are among the challenges, she said collaboration and networking between key human rights actors is still needed.

She said while the commission plays its part, policy makers, civil societies, and law enforcement organs should also play their roles in addressing issues related to human rights.

Daniel Lema, Legal Aid Secretariat Coordinator, elaborating on the fall of human rights promotion and protection in the country, he said it all results from the fact that the government has been implementing its own initiatives and perspectives while civil societies have been operating under a different strategy.

He said most key actors are aware of the increase of violence against human rights and tend to adopt a culture of silence anyway.

“We’re trying to see how we can chip-in to identify and come up with a report on issues of human rights and strategise interventions,” he said.

In another development, stakeholder had a back to back discussion of whether the death penalty should or shouldn’t be abolished.

They cited an example of the majority of prisoners on death penalty but have not had their petitions approved by the President for years, hence ending up suffering while waiting for their execution which never arrives.

“If it is a death penalty let the wrongdoer be executed on the spot rather than serving life imprisonment,” a participant who requested for anonymity stated.

According to stakeholders, incidents such as the killings of Albinos, unwanted pregnancies, prostitution and the suppuration of freedom of press remain a big challenge to the country’s human rights protection and promotion.

 SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (01/04/2013): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=52996