Special Webinar Event on Rule of Law in Tanzania – Wednesday 17 November 2021

By Editor | Published: November 16, 2021

A year ago, the late Tanzanian President John Magufuli won a second term in an election marred by violence, allegations of fraud, and repression. Under President Magufuli, the government clamped down on the political opposition, media and human rights activists. Notably, the rule of law and independence of the judiciary also suffered a precipitous decline, while a notable uptick in non-bailable offenses have been used to target members of the opposition and political activists.

In March, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, the president passed away and Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan succeeded him, raising the hopes of many both inside Tanzania and within the international community that the new president would usher in a more open political environment, allow more media and political freedoms, and restore the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. Has Tanzania’s first woman president continued in Magufuli’s footsteps or has she made efforts to restore the rule of law?

As the UN Periodical Review on Tanzania has just ended, this webinar will seek to discuss the UPR findings, Tanzania’s record in terms of the rule of law, freedom of expression and association with particular emphasis on access to justice and independence of judiciary.