DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), in collaboration with the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the East Africa Law Society (EALS), and the Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA), continues to implement a nationwide Constitutionalism Promotion Campaign aimed at strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, and improving access to justice across Tanzania.
The campaign, which also brings together bar associations, civil society organizations (CSOs), higher learning institutions, legal professionals, and the media, is being conducted under the theme: “Strengthening Constitutionalism, Human Rights and Access to Justice for All.”
According to the organizers, the campaign was officially launched in Dodoma in June 2026 and is being implemented in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. It seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of the Constitution, reinforce the principles of democracy and good governance, and promote respect for fundamental human rights.
Organizers say the initiative comes at a time when greater collaboration is needed among the government, legal institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens to safeguard constitutional principles and uphold the rule of law.
James Luhende, Executive Director of Action for Democracy and Local Government (ADLG) based in Mwanza, said the operating environment for non-governmental organizations in Tanzania still requires significant improvement to enable them to effectively carry out their mandates.
“The operating environment for NGOs in Tanzania is still challenging. It is affected by a number of setbacks, ranging from legal barriers to operational challenges, including situations where some leaders lack sectoral understanding or are assigned roles that undermine institutions,” Luhende said.
A lecturer from the University of Dodoma noted that challenges remain regarding freedom of expression and meaningful public participation in national affairs, making dialogue platforms increasingly important.
“Freedom has become significantly restricted. While many political leaders claim that everything is fine, the reality is different. Many people still do not feel free to express themselves or participate in public affairs. Fear remains widespread, making forums like this essential for bringing together different stakeholders to openly discuss these issues,” the lecturer said.
Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) Programme Officer, Advocate Mercy Kessy, said the organization has continued to work closely with the Government, Parliament, and the Judiciary by providing recommendations on legal reforms aimed at strengthening Tanzania’s justice system.
“We continue supporting the government, the Judiciary, and Parliament in advancing legal reforms. Whenever amendments to laws are needed, these institutions engage directly with the Tanganyika Law Society to obtain professional legal opinions, which then inform the legislative reform process,” Kessy said.
TLS Governing Council member, Advocate Barnabas Nyalusi, said the campaign would help raise public awareness about the importance of respecting the Constitution and the law through dialogue and consensus.
“We are pleased to be part of this campaign because it will also encourage our members to promote constitutional compliance peacefully and without creating unnecessary conflict with law enforcement authorities,” Nyalusi said.
Organizers said the campaign will focus on three priority areas: recognizing and protecting human rights defenders, promoting media freedom and freedom of expression, and strengthening the implementation of court decisions while
Regarding legal reforms, the campaign will also monitor the implementation of court rulings related to various laws, including the Births and Deaths Registration Act (BRADEA), the Law of Marriage Act, and other legislation concerning the protection of fundamental human rights.
The organizers said the campaign will serve as a platform for inclusive dialogue among government institutions, legal bodies, civil society organizations, journalists, and citizens to advance democratic governance, promote constitutional values, and accelerate legal reforms that improve access to justice for all.
They further called upon government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, the legal fraternity, academic institutions, the media, and the general public to actively participate in the campaign in order to build a society that upholds constitutional principles, protects human rights, and strengthens the rule of law in Tanzania.