Call for Promotion of the Right to Information in Tanzania

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is hosting the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference (CPC) which is taking place in Zanzibar from September 2 to 5, 2019. The theme for the conference is "E-Parliament: Seamless Platform for Facilitating Democracy" which aims at encouraging effective use of digital technology for parliaments to easy the flow of information as a way of promoting transparecny and accountability for the growth of democracy among member countries.

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) wishes to congratulate the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting such a high-level meeting. At the same time, LHRC wishes to remind the Government of Tanzania on the need to lift live Bunge coverage ban. LHRC strongly believe that ban on live Bunge coverage restricts citizens their right to information and hence failure to make informed decisions about the conducts of their representatives who are parliamentarians and other government officials.

According to a survey by Twaweza (#BungeLive: Citizens' view on parliamentary broadcasts), 92% of citizens think that parliamentary sessions must be aired live for them to be able to monitor their representatives and acquire primary information that will inform their (citizens') decisions.

Also, LHRC would like to make a call to all Tanzanians to actively follow up and engage in all matters of national interest for them to be able to safeguard their interests. LHRC believes that 'informed citizen makes an informed decision'.