COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Forty-seventh session

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION

Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination

United Republic of Tanzania

At its 1113th meeting, on 9 August 1995 (CERD/C/SR.1112), the Committee examined the implementation of the Convention by the United Republic of Tanzania on the basis of the previous report of the State party (CERD/C/131/Add.11), its consideration by the Committee (CERD/C/SR.817) and the oral information provided by the representative of the State party.

The members of the Committee welcomed the important changes that have taken place in the last several years, such as the entry into force of the amended Constitution, providing for a multiparty system, and the scheduling of the first multiparty elections for October this year. They also noted that some political and economic reforms were introduced in the country, in particular in the agricultural sector with the aim of stimulating the overall economic growth.

It was noted that, though the Government asked in 1994 for the postponement of the submission of its eighth to eleventh periodic reports until the information on the recent substantive changes that occurred in the country were incorporated, no report had yet been received by the Committee. This meant that the United Republic of Tanzania had not fulfilled its obligation under article 9, paragraph 1, of the Convention. However, the presence of a representative of the State party to participate in the discussion with the Committee and the oral information he gave and the comprehensive answers provided to the questions raised by Committee members was a welcome sign that the United Republic of Tanzania wished to continue its dialogue with the Committee.

It was observed that numerous ethnic communities lived in Tanzania, together with a large minority of Asians, though the latter seems to decrease in number. Questions were asked about the treatment of people having originally come from Zanzibar to the mainland. The official position of the Government was also noted that the Tanzanian nation has been "welded together", as stated in the State party's seventh periodic report (CERD/C/131/Add.11, para. 6). It was also noticed that the important number of refugees coming from neighbouring countries, Rwanda and Burundi, this number amounting to 1.4 million according to the representative of Tanzania, created difficulties for the authorities, especially as regards their accommodation in Tanzania and their repatriation to their countries.

It was noted that there seemed to be some problems, mainly involving Christians and Muslims coming from different ethnic communities, relating to allegations that favouritism is being shown by the authorities towards one community, in the civil service, government posts and positions, State-owned businesses and scholarships.

The discussion underlined the concern about the availability of free access to Courts and legal remedies in cases of alleged racial discrimination. It was stressed that the State party had not implemented the provisions of articles 4 and 6 of the Convention, which call for the adoption of positive measures to combat racial discrimination.