Oral Statement at the 33rd session of the HRC

The Tanzania joint oral statement made at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council in September 2016 together with Jubilee Campaign.

Agenda Item 6: UPR outcomes United Republic of Tanzania

Organisation: Jubilee Campaign

Speaker: Ms Sini Maria Heikkila

Thank you Mr President.

Jubilee Campaign together with Christian Solidarity Worldwide is concerned about continuing restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief, and the lack of recommendations relating to this right as part of Tanzania’s second UPR cycle.

CSW has received credible reports of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief both on Tanzania’s mainland and the Zanzibar Archipelago.

On the mainland, where Christians and followers of traditional beliefs constitute a majority, there is a reported rise in discrimination and religiously-motivated violence. For example, in 2015 19 churches were burned down in the north-western Kagera region, leaving 850 Christians without places of worship. In February 2015 the Roman Catholic Church at Rulongo-Kanazi parish was attacked, causing damage worth USD4,500. In October 2014 a Christian teacher was killed by unknown assailants while attending evening prayers at a Pentecostal Assemblies of God (TAG) church in Kagera region. No one has been prosecuted in connection with the murder.

To download and read the statement in full, click here (pdf).