The United Republic of Tanzania supports the work of the HRC, since among the principles of Tanzania’s foreign policy is defense of freedom, justice, human rights, equality and democracy. As the question of human rights has come to occupy a more important place in modern international relations, defending human rights is seen as important for the creation of better and peaceful world. We strongly believe that our foreign policy objectives with respect to human rights can be achieved through, inter alia, the support for the UN in its search for international economic development, peace and security.
As the UN body that is dedicated to the protection and development of human rights, the HRC is made up of 47-member states elected by the UN General Assembly for a three-year term. Members are selected via the basis of equitable geographic rotation using the UN regional grouping system. Members are eligible for re-election for one additional term, after which they must relinquish their seat. UN Member States which are not members of the HRC, including the United Republic of Tanzania, actively participate in HRC Sessions as Observer Members but without voting rights. Human Rights Institutions and Civil Society Organizations with observer status also participate in the HRC sessions.
The HRC holds three (3) annual regular sessions (February/March, June/July and September/October) to discuss a wide range of human rights issues including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The HRC may also hold an emergency session if one-third of the members decide to do so to discuss any urgent human rights issue.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism supports the implementation IRC mandate by assessing the human rights situation in all UN Member States every four years, based on recommendations a State accepts to implement. The UPR has contributed towards making states accept, in principle, the legitimacy of discussing, reporting, and monitoring their behavior in relation to human rights.
The first cycle of the UPR process was completed during the 19th session of the HRC in March 2012, where National Reports, including that of the United Republic of Tanzania, were discussed and adopted. The United Republic of Tanzania has participated in all cycles of the UPR and is currently implementing recommendations under the fourth cycle of the mechanism, while awaiting the next review scheduled for 2026.
The HRC also implements its mandate through Special Procedures mechanisms, comprised of experts and working groups on thematic and country-specific human rights issues. The United Republic of Tanzania cooperates with the Special Procedures of the HRC by responding to questionnaires and hosting Mission visits.
Conscious of her international obligations, Tanzania has ratified major international treaties guaranteeing these rights, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Tanzania guarantees the fulfilment of her international human rights obligations through the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, which together with other specific human rights legislation provide for the broad legal framework for the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Tanzania is aligned with the spirit and mandate of the HRC, and has been outlining the steps taken by the Government to protect and promote human rights based on, inter alia, recommendations from UPR and experts.