By Julitha Mlay
GENEVA, Switzerland: Tanzania has outlined its constitutional and legal position on the recognition of Indigenous Peoples and ancestral land, emphasising equal citizenship, national unity and equitable management of natural resources during the 53rd Session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva.
Presenting the Government's position on November 5, 2026, Executive Secretary of the UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania, Professor Hamisi Masanja Malebo, said the country's legal framework does not recognise Indigenous Peoples as a distinct legal category or ancestral land as a separate legal classification.
He explained that Tanzania's approach is founded on the principle of equal citizenship, under which all citizens enjoy equal rights and protection under the law, regardless of their ethnic background, origin, traditions, religion, race or social status.
With more than 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania has a diverse social and cultural heritage shaped by different historical experiences, languages, traditions and patterns of migration and settlement.
Providing historical context, Professor Malebo identified the Hadzabe and Sandawe as the country's earliest inhabitants, followed by successive movements and settlements of communities associated with the Bantu, Cushitic, Khoisan and Nilotic language families.
He explained that these historical movements contributed to the formation of Tanzania's present-day population, with different communities settling and interacting across various parts of the country over generations.
On this basis, he argued that the country's historical experience should be considered in discussions about claims to Indigenous status and ancestral territories, maintaining that no ethnic group should enjoy superior citizenship rights over others.
The presentation also addressed the relationship between land ownership, natural resources and national interests.
Referring to the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act, 2017, Professor Malebo highlighted the Government's position that Tanzania's natural wealth and resources are subject to the country's sovereign authority and should be managed in the interests of its people.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining national unity, ensuring equitable access to natural resources and supporting national conservation initiatives within the framework of the country's laws.
Professor Malebo stressed that challenges relating to community identity, land use and historical settlement patterns should be addressed through the rule of law, respect for human rights and good governance, while safeguarding the dignity, livelihoods and cultural traditions of all citizens.
The Government's presentation also placed these issues within the broader context of Tanzania's commitment to human rights and national development.
Professor Malebo highlighted the Government's continued efforts, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, to advance social and economic development while promoting and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
These include freedom of expression, freedom of movement and the right to peaceful assembly, as recognised under the Constitution and the international and regional human rights instruments to which Tanzania is a party.
Tanzania further emphasised the importance of the Human Rights Council upholding universality, impartiality, equality and non-discrimination in its consideration of human rights issues.
Professor Malebo's participation in the national delegation also reflected the contribution of the UNESCO National Commission to international discussions within UNESCO's areas of competence.
The Commission's mandate covers education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. These areas are closely connected to the promotion of cultural diversity, preservation of heritage, protection of languages and access to information.
Its engagement in the UPR process therefore provides an opportunity to contribute perspectives on the relationship between cultural identity, diversity, human dignity and sustainable development.
The Universal Periodic Review is a United Nations mechanism through which the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States are examined periodically by the Human Rights Council. Countries present measures taken to fulfil their human rights obligations, receive recommendations from other Member States and outline further steps to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights.
Tanzania's fourth-cycle review forms part of this international process, providing an opportunity to present national progress, explain its legal and policy frameworks and engage with other Member States on the continued advancement of human rights.
Share this
EmoticonEmoticon