U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Tanzania
39th Session
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
The United States welcomes the Tanzanian delegation.
We recommend that Tanzania:
1. Ensure fair and public hearings for those criminally charged, and to prevent arbitrary arrests;
2. Amend or repeal aspects of the Political Parties Act, the Media Services Act, and the Electronic and Postal Communications Act to promote freedom of expression;
3. Promote citizens’ ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections by reforming election observation and voter education programs, and by preventing political violence.
We welcome Tanzania’s progress on improving freedom of expression, including for the press, by lifting bans on select media outlets in April 2021. However, we remain greatly concerned about Tanzania’s continued detention of members of the opposition.